I m taking 50mg (25mg twice day) metoprolol for hypertension and 150mg (75mg twice day) flecainide for afib. I ve been on flecainide for 2 months and have had no afib episodes apart from a couple during the first 2 weeks of taking flecainide. Prior to this, over the past 10 years, my afib episodes went from about a few times a year lasting 3 - 4 hours, to a few times a month, to a few times a week lasting about 12 hours each time. I had to take something because of the discomfort and danger of stroke. Both seem under control with meds. Why would I be prescribed a blood thinner (either Apixaban, Riveroxaban of Dabigatran (whichever my drug plan covers)) if I don t have any episodes of afib. I take low dose Aspirin daily but am very reluctant to progress to the new blood thinners.
Hi welcome to Chat Doctor. I understand your query and concern. Blood thinners are absolutely useful in your case to control the atrial fibrillation. You are currently placed on excellent Chat Doctor. Out of all Apixaban will work with good efficacy. I advise you to have a baseline 2 dimensional echocardiography, ECG and lipid profile to assess the basic cardiac reserve of your heart. Restrict the intake of salt to less than 6g/day. Regular physical exercise in the form of brisk walk for 20 min a day for 5 days a week is pretty useful.