{"id":5790,"date":"2019-09-11T08:00:10","date_gmt":"2019-09-11T12:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=5790"},"modified":"2020-07-13T20:16:43","modified_gmt":"2020-07-14T00:16:43","slug":"blood-thinners-for-afib","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/blood-thinners-for-afib\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you have to take blood thinners for AFib?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s estimated that at least 2.7 million Americans\u2014and up to 6.1 million\u2014are living with Atrial Fibrillation, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/dhdsp\/data_statistics\/fact_sheets\/fs_atrial_fibrillation.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC). Atrial fibrillation (aka AFib) is a type of cardiovascular condition that is defined as an irregular\u2014usually a rapid or quivering\u2014heartbeat (otherwise known as an arrhythmia). It leads to poor blood flow, which can increase the risk of stroke. One way to reduce that danger is taking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/eliquis-vs-xarelto\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">blood thinners for AFib<\/a>, but they come with risks of their own.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is atrial fibrillation (AFib)?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cAtrial fibrillation is a condition where the normal electrical circuitry of the heart is disrupted,\u201d explains <a href=\"https:\/\/kavithamd.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kavitha Chinnaiyan, MD<\/a>, an integrative cardiologist at Beaumont Health System and associate professor of Medicine at <a href=\"https:\/\/oakland.edu\/medicine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine<\/a>. In a healthy heart, electrical impulses flow through particular pathways. In someone with AFib, the impulse for the heart beat arises from abnormal locations in the top chambers of the heart, and is erratically and irregularly transmitted to the lower chambers. \u201cSo instead of a smooth contraction of the upper chambers, they \u2018fibrillate\u2019 and don\u2019t contract normally,\u201d Dr. Chinnaiyan says.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are the symptoms of AFib?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The most common sign of AFib is a racing heart. Symptoms can also include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>fatigue<\/li>\n<li>chest pain<\/li>\n<li>shortness of breath<\/li>\n<li>dizziness and\/or lightheadedness<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Yet, some people are entirely asymptomatic, states <a href=\"https:\/\/www.columbiadoctors.org\/nisha-b-jhalani-md\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nisha B. Jhalani, MD<\/a>, director of clinical and educational services at the Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyp.org\/\">NewYork-Presbyterian<\/a>\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cuimc.columbia.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Columbia University Irving Medical Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How to diagnose AFib<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Dr. Jhalani adds that AFib can be diagnosed by an electrocardiogram (ECG), but the individual must be in AFib at the time of the test. \u201cIf a person is alternating between atrial fibrillation and normal sinus rhythm, which is very common, then the best test for diagnosis would be a two-week event monitor to capture the arrhythmia and correlate it to any symptoms,\u201d Dr. Jhalani continues.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>AFib and stroke risk<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>During episodes of AFib, oxygen-rich blood isn\u2019t properly pumped throughout the body, which means the blood in the top chambers can stagnate and form a clot. \u201cThen, blood clots can be carried to the brain to cause strokes,\u201d Dr. Chinnaiyan, author of <em>The Heart of Wellness<\/em>, warns. In fact, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stroke.org\/en\/health-topics\/atrial-fibrillation\/afib-resources-for-patients--professionals\/afib-awareness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">American Stroke Association<\/a>, patients with AFib are five times more likely to suffer a stroke. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/about-clots\/afib-2\/\">National Blood Clot Alliance<\/a> states that AFib-related strokes can be approximately twice as debilitating and fatal as a stroke not caused by AFib.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Blood thinners for AFib<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/atrial-fibrillation\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20350624\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Anticoagulants for AFib<\/a>, often called blood thinners, are commonly recommended since they can greatly reduce the risk of stroke or damage to other organs caused by blood clots. Dr. Chinnaiyan explains that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/coumadin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Coumadin<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/warfarin-sodium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">warfarin<\/a>) used to be the only available drug for the majority of people with AFib. Now, there are other medications, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/eliquis\">Eliquis<\/a> (apixaban) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/pradaxa\">Pradaxa<\/a> (dabigatran), that do not require continuous monitoring of the blood \u201cfor adequate\u2014and not too much\u2014\u2018thinness.\u2019\u201d In January 2019, the <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.heart.org\/news\/updated-treatment-guidelines-for-atrial-fibrillation-recommend-a-new-class-of-blood-thinners-to-help-prevent-stroke?preview=700a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">American Heart Association<\/a> (AHA) announced that these newer blood thinner meds\u2014non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs)\u2014are the \u201cpreferred alternative to warfarin for reducing the risk of stroke\u201d in patients with AFib.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBlood thinners are prescribed according to calculated risk of stroke which takes into account age, sex, and other medical conditions, such as previous stroke and heart failure,\u201d Dr. Chinnaiyan explains. \u201cThe higher the risk, the greater the need for blood thinners.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is the best blood thinner for AFib?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Only your doctor can determine the best blood thinner for you based on your medical condition, overall health, and response to treatment. The following blood thinners list compares commonly prescribed medication for treating AFib.<\/p>\n<table class=\"singlecare-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><span class=\"title\">Best blood thinners for AFib<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"header-row\">\n<td><strong>Drug name<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Drug class<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Administration route<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Standard dosage<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Common side effects<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/coumadin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Coumadin <\/a>(warfarin)<\/td>\n<td>Anticoagulant<\/td>\n<td>Oral<\/td>\n<td>5mg tablet once a day<\/td>\n<td>Bleeding, nausea, loss of appetite, and stomach pain<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/eliquis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Eliquis <\/a>(apixaban)<\/td>\n<td>Anticoagulant<\/td>\n<td>Oral<\/td>\n<td>5mg tablet twice a day<\/td>\n<td>Nausea, easy bruising, minor bleeding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/pradaxa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pradaxa<\/a> (dabigatran)<\/td>\n<td>Anticoagulant<\/td>\n<td>Oral<\/td>\n<td>75mg capsule twice a day<\/td>\n<td>Easy bruising and minor bleeding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/xarelto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Xarelto <\/a>(rivaroxaban)<\/td>\n<td>Anticoagulant<\/td>\n<td>Oral<\/td>\n<td>20mg tablet once a day<\/td>\n<td>Easy bruising and minor bleeding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/savaysa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Savaysa<\/a> (edoxaban)<\/td>\n<td>Anticoagulant<\/td>\n<td>Oral<\/td>\n<td>60mg tablet once a day<\/td>\n<td>Easy bruising and minor bleeding<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Side effects of blood thinners<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>However, certain safety measures must be followed when taking an anti-clotting drug. Excessive bleeding is a common side effect of blood thinners, which is why Dr. Jhalani urges patients to speak with their cardiologist or internist about the risks and benefits of blood thinners. \u201cIf someone recently was hospitalized for a bleeding ulcer or if they were predisposed to falls, the decision to start blood thinners for atrial fibrillation will be very personalized,\u201d she states.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/health-topics\/atrial-fibrillation\/treatment-and-prevention-of-atrial-fibrillation\/atrial-fibrillation-medications\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AHA<\/a> says patients should think twice before participating in any contact sport or activity that could increase your chances of falling, bruising, or bleeding. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahrq.gov\/patients-consumers\/diagnosis-treatment\/treatments\/btpills\/btpills.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality<\/a> states that any over-the-counter (OTC) medicine with aspirin could interact with blood thinners <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and increase the blood thinning effect<\/span>, as well as numerous OTC pain, cold, and stomach ache relievers, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Advil<\/li>\n<li>Aleve<\/li>\n<li>Tylenol<\/li>\n<li>Alka-Seltzer<\/li>\n<li>Pepto Bismol<\/li>\n<li>Ex-lax<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Speak with your physician about your vitamin K intake. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body produce some of the proteins involved in blood clotting. Increasing your intake of vitamin K (found in leafy green vegetables, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts) could alter the metabolism of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/coumadin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Coumadin<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/warfarin-sodium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">warfarin<\/a>), suggests the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stoptheclot.org\/news\/vitamin-k-and-coumadin-what-you-need-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Blood Clot Alliance<\/a>. <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a consistent intake of Vitamin K while on blood thinners is very important.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s estimated that at least 2.7 million Americans\u2014and up to 6.1 million\u2014are living with Atrial Fibrillation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Atrial fibrillation (aka AFib) is a type of cardiovascular condition that is defined as an irregular\u2014usually a rapid or quivering\u2014heartbeat (otherwise known as an arrhythmia). It leads to poor [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":10314,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[9650],"coauthors":[9530],"class_list":["post-5790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-blood-thinners","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Blood thinners for AFib: Health benefits and side effects<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"AFib causes poor blood flow, increasing your risk of stroke. 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