Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
"A-Fib.com is a great web site for patients, that is unequaled by anything else out there."
Dr. Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
"Jill and I put you and your work in our prayers every night. What you do to help people through this [A-Fib] process is really incredible."
Jill and Steve Douglas, East Troy, WI
“I really appreciate all the information on your website as it allows me to be a better informed patient and to know what questions to ask my EP.
Faye Spencer, Boise, ID, April 2017
“I think your site has helped a lot of patients.”Dr. Hugh G. Calkins, MD Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore, MD
FAQs A-Fib Treatments: Medicines and Drug Therapies
Drug Therapies for Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation patients often search for unbiased information and guidance about medicines and drug therapy treatments. These are answers to the most frequently asked questions by patients and their families. (Click on the question to jump to the answer.)
1. “I have a heart condition. Which medications are best to control my Atrial Fibrillation?” What medications work best for me?“
2. HRT: “Do you have information about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and if it might help or hinder my atrial fibrillation?”
3. Rate Control Drug: “I take atenolol, a beta-blocker. Will it stop my A-Fib.”
4. Antibiotics: “Which antibiotics are less liable to cause an A-Fib attack? How is Clindamycin for dental work? In the past I reacted to Azithromycin and Advil.”
Antiarrhythmic Drugs
1. “Is the “Pill-In-The-Pocket” treatment a cure for A-Fib? When should it be used?” (“Pill-In-The-Pocket” makes use of an antiarrhythmic drug such as flecainide)
2. “I’ve been on amiodarone for over a year. It works for me and keeps me out of A-Fib. But I’m worried about the toxic side effects. What should I do?”
3. “Is the antiarrhythmic drug Multaq [dronedarone] safer than taking amiodarone? How does it compare to other antiarrhythmic drugs?”
4. “My doctor told me about the Tikosyn drug option that I want to consider in getting rid of my 5-month-old persistent A-Fib. That seems like something that should be discussed on your web site.”
Blood Thinners/Anticoagulants
Note: August 2015 Update: Aspirin is no longer recommended as first-line therapy to prevent A-Fib stroke.
1. “Are anticoagulants and blood thinners the same thing? How do they thin the blood?
2. “Should everyone who has A-Fib be on a blood thinner like warfarin (brand name: Coumadin)?”
3. “For A-Fib patients, which is the better to prevent A-Fib-related stroke—warfarin (Coumadin), a NOAC or aspirin?”
4. “I am on Coumadin (warfarin). Do I now need to avoid foods with Vitamin K which would interfere with its blood thinning effects?”
5. “Are natural blood thinners for blood clot treatment as good as prescription blood thinners like warfarin?”
6. “I’m worried about having to take the blood thinner warfarin. If I cut myself, do I risk bleeding to death?“
7. “I”ve read about a new anticoagulant, edoxaban (brand names: Lixiana, Savaysa) as an alternative to warfarin (Coumadin). For A-Fib patients, how does it compare to warfarin? Should I consider edoxaban instead of the other NOACs?”
Related question: “My new cardiologist wants me to switch from Pradaxa to Eliquis. if bleeding occurs, is Eliquis safer, easier to deal with?“
Post-Procedure
1. “I’ve had a successful catheter ablation and am no longer in A-Fib. But my doctor says I need to be on a blood thinner. I’ve been told that, even after a successful catheter ablation, I could still have “silent” A-Fib—A-Fib episodes that I’m not aware of. Is there anything I can do to get off of blood thinners?“
2. “I just had an Electrical Cardioversion. My doctor wants me to stay on Coumadin for at least one month. Why is that required? They mentioned something about a “stunned atrium.” What is that?“
A-Fib Stroke Risk
1. “What are my chances of getting an A-Fib stroke?“
2. “The A-Fib.com web site claims that an A-Fib stroke is often worse than other causes of stroke. Why is that? If a clot causes a stroke, what difference does it make if it comes from A-Fib or other causes? Isn’t the damage the same?“
3. “How long do I have to be in A-Fib before I develop a clot and have a stroke?“
4. “Are there alternatives to taking anticoagulants? “My heart doctor wants me to take Xarelto. I am concerned about the side effects which can involve death. What else can I do?”
Related question: “Is there a way to get off blood thinners all together? I hate taking Coumadin. I know I’m at risk of an A-Fib stroke.”
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Tuesday, April 20, 2021
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