In this video, Dr Sanjay Gupta talks about the different blood thinners to take in Afib and the real reason why you should choose the NOACs over warfarin
I’m a senior Canadian 🙏🏼 🇨🇦 and take Apixaban. It costs me $4.11 for 3 months. And yes thankfully there’s an antidote. You are my online cardiologist, Dr Gupta. Can’t thank you enough for your down to earth teachings. My in person cardiologist doesn’t have the time or the ability to explain clearly. As much as I try to have questions ready to ask him I always go home and have more questions. So that is why I am here!!
I absolutely love love ❤️ all the information you put out concerning afib... I’ve learned more about my condition from you than any Dr. has ever told me...I can now make educated decisions about my health going forward... Thank you from the bottom of my old afib heart ❤️❤️ from ky USA
Sanjay, I would you to know how much I really appreciate who you are not just your educational tidbits. I really loved it when you said in a recent video, how wonderful you feel when you get home from work, and you see that new people have subscribed to your cardiology channel as it showed some vulnerability. I imagine that what you see at work with people recovering from heart attacks and whatnot must give you the inspiration to keep making these great videos so as to help people stay out of the hospital in the first place You must come from a very nice family who instilled in you such virtues as love, caring, and wanting to make a difference in other peoples lives. I think your videos give people the one thing they need, hope!!!
Thank you again Sanjay. Always great info to help in the Afib journey. I have started a regular cardio exercise program and my events have decreased significantly.
@@Eyes-of-Horus hi--i live in California, u.s. and i've been taking xarelto for about 3 yrs. i do have medicare part D (drug insurance). My dr. recently renewed the xarelto (20 mg/day) for 90 days. my pharmacist said it would cost $400 for the 90 day supply. So I just got enough for 30 days (to minimize the shock 💊😂💲
Both Pradaxa and Eliquis have passed the time threshold for generic status, but in both cases the primary manufacturer bought out the prospective generic supplier.
This video was terrific!!! I have been reading a lot on blood thinners and am on xarelto at the present time. I have arrived at the same conclusion about the newer blood thinners that there is less of a chance of bleeding than with Warfarin. I am asking my Cardioligist to put me on apixaban or Eliquis because I think it might be safer. This was a great video! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to post such informative information!
Be careful, each person is different and has a different response to medications. Work with your doctor to be sure what is best for you. After being on Eliquis for 3 weeks it caused me to have a gastritis episode so bad I lost 7 pounds and was in bed for a week. So far, 3 weeks on Xarelto has not caused a digestive problem. “Getting old isn’t for sissies!”
@@krytietv6831 My dad went to pick up some Eloquis at the pharmacy and the charge was $675!! Watch the documentary "SICKO". I thought we were living in the best country in the world. Apparently not. :(
@@amberj6760, I have IBS problems and Eliquis made it worse, so doc put me on Xarelto. Doing okay on it. Had a pacemaker procedure 11-10-22, so my 81-yo body is trying to adjust to the surgery and change iof blood pressure meds. Didn’t notice a lot of bruising after starting blood thinners which I was Leary of. Thank goodness I have Medicare as Eliquis and Xarelto are very expensive! Yep, having anything done with the heart is scary, but technology really has improved. Good luck with your health! Praying for you.
@@krytietv6831 Thank-you for your reply. I have a very bad gi issue also and I do not want to start drug but doc insists before I get a cardioversion. When you started getting gastritis from the Eliquis could I ask what you first noticed? Also, did you have have problems with fatigue or headaches or nausea? I read so many have those issues!
I have been placed on Eliquis for a bout of A-Fib due to an upper respiratory infection. I was put off by the price $444.00 (with insurance in the USA, and the fact that there is no antidote). I am a nurse and your excellent informational video made me change my view. I take 5mg BID. I will not worry about the bleeding now. I hope to be off of all medications by February 2020. Thank you.
...it's 2022 now just started Eliquest 5 mg... cost normal $549.00 USD if you cannot locate discount coupon...so here looking for one...Good rx is all I know about ...
I had to be put on Eliquis after taking Pradaxa for 90 Days. What I found out in this process is that You can get both of the Cost down if you work with Your Doctor and Insurance carrier by asking for a Prior Authorization Approval from your Cardiologist. The insurance company will Not tell you that they have a department that handles such matters. Most doctors won't say anything as well because they want to Bill for the higher cost. After paying $642 for a 3 month Supply of Pradaxa I was able to get the cost down to $6 for a 30 Day Supply which is $18 for 3 months. It took several telephone calls but eventually got the cost down. My Eliquis is same pricing.
Hi Jennifer; Could I ask how you have done on (or did) on the blood thinner Eliquis? Did you have any problems tolerating in? Were you able to stop it?
I was diagnosed with AbFib last year. The cardiologist I had then put me on Xarelto. After one day, I peed nothing but blood. So he put me on Eliquis. Same thing. He looked at me and said "either take it and bleed or die." Needless to say I got another cardiologist. However, I did use Lovenox injections and have been fine. But, I'm having an ablation and my electrophysiologist wants to put me back on Eliquis after the procedure. I said No Way! The reason I bleed while urinating is because a HIV drug I take does not interact with Xarelto or Eliquis per my CVS head pharmacist. I keep telling my doctors this but they don't listen to me. I can't understand why I wouldn't be able to continue the Lovenox injections because for some reason doing them doesn't cause blood in my urine. Just sharing my story.
Thank you for a very informative piece! I’ve been on Xeralto for 5 years or so. I didn’t want the hassle of Warfarin and this is just 1 pill a day. Of course the downside is the cost and each year it gets higher. Have often thought about changing to Warfarin but after hearing you, I feel I made the right choice and will just have to hope that a generic version will come soon!
Thank you for this. I have just been put on Apixaban and I was terrified as my dear Dad died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage some years ago . He was only on Aspirin. Your videos are so helpful.
hello dr gupta thankyou i refused warfarin ! so they put me on apixiban 1on amorning 1 at night 5 mg increased my bishoprolol to 2.5 mg i felt much better after 2 days the relief ! i wish you were my cardiologist ! stay safe ! love & peace xx
I have CHF, on 4/17/21 I had got so bad/weak I couldn't walk more than 2 or 3 steps without running out of air. I was on Eliquis months ago but gave it up resently because it was making me sick and well bruised. Then on 4/17/21 I quit taking the rest of my meds, my Amiodarone, and my Metoprolol, presently I'm taking a low-dose aspirin and Lasix. The next morning the 18th I could walk much better in fact if I walked slow took small steps I did pretty good and I was back able to care for myself again. Just about every heart med I've taken over the years has made me sick and much worse. Let me be clear, the 3 months leading up to 4/17 was a living hell for me, now I am MUCH better. If I die earlier, at 73 with CHF I'm fine with that.TheReaper!
... was a pandemic interruption in my meds....ended up I week in coronary ... unit... go get your meds back on track... your CHF is not repaired...I still have bar stools in kitchen as rest areas as needed ...
@@amberj6760 I'm still off the meds and I'm doing ok as long as I don't overdo it. I know my Cardiologist is trying but it's not working for me. On my last echo, I had a 35 ejection fraction same as I had when I was first diagnosed. My cardiologist on my last echo said my heart was getting stronger after he read my echo, I felt like asking him if he was sure that he was reading MY echo. Wait till I tell him I quit my med. TheReaper!
After 18 years of regular Warfarin, and similarly, check-ups every 2-3 weeks, I was switched to 'Eliquis apixaban' 2.5mg morning, and evening. After 3 months,--ok, so far. early 2023.
There are home monitor INR tests now. If you try to eat the same amount of greens everyday it's pretty easy. I've been between 2-3 for years now. The costs of the new drugs are so expensive especially if you have the cost of Tikosyn and insulin.
Come on, the real reason at least in the US is that for most people Warfrin costs $5 a month, and ALL of the other NOAC's start at $500 a month!! Many times the health through your employer can bring the costs down to around $50 a month, but still most people are driven by the costs. The USA is the ONLY country in the world where health care is considered a luxury you have to work for, if your unemployed or in a menial job, tough luck. You can go to a hospital and state you don't have coverage, and the hospital has to help you, but in the end the hospital will track you down for payment, and if you are truly, literally penniless they will mark you as a debtor, and as soon as you accumulate a few dollars, it goes to pay down your medical debt. In America, it's "I've got mine, and if you have no converge its not my problem.
I was put on Riveroxiban, I was fit and went to the gym 3 times a week for classes and weights, even though I was in my late 60’s, looked 10/15 years younger feeling fantastic. I then woke in the early hours with terrible stomach / abdominal pain then started vomiting copious amounts of blood. I had an emergency endoscopy and they clipped the bleed but I was told I could have died. I had an AFIB attack and passed out 2 days after the endoscopy and have had bad AFIB attacks ever since and feel terrible most of the time. I was put on Apixaban after the bleed and told there is less chance of bleeding. I was never warned of the chance of bleeding on Riveroxiban. After watching your videos I’m convinced there is a connection in my case of AF to the vagus nerve in my stomach?
I had a pulmonary embolism after my second round of Covid (and the first 2 Pfizer vaccines) Long after this video was launched. I was put on Xarelto first and it was horrible. After three months I switched to Eliquis. I tolerated it much better but still didn't like having to take it but probably a good option. After four more months, I was told I could stop and had a hematologist give his approval to make sure that I had no genetic reason that predisposed me to clots. Then 4 months after stopping, I had aFib. (first time) The cardiologist put me back on Eliquis, possibly for life. Still researching this but would hope not to need this for life. Have a nephew who is a Pulmonologist and he is also doing research, I totally appreciate the info I am finding with Dr Gupta and it is giving me hope.
I've been on Warfarin for about 6-8 months and have changed the dosage at least 8 times! Each time, blood test were done and usually dosage changed. I had nose bleeds constantly and worried about bleeding internally, particular the head. Warfarin is cheap, the others VERY EXPENSIVE. ($4 compared to $400) After my most recent blood test, I'm back to the original dosage! They said it was working and I can afford it! The side effects are thinning and brittle hair, slight pain in the face and nose nleeds. I'm not totally comfortable with it but strokes terrify me!
Hi Sanjay, I've had an irregular heartbeat since it was detected by my GP when I was 15 years old.... I'm now 66 yrs old and waiting for a Aorta valve replacement (TAVI).. I just recently went to Bristol Heart Hospital ... I was then told by the specialist that he found this irregular heartbeat (Afib) and told me I need to go on Warfarin as I'm at risk of a stroke.. I'm currently not happy with going on blood thinner as my father was put on this and he had serious problem with excess bleeding !
What about the cost ?? Is this guy from the UK ? Some people in the US don't have RX insurance . Also he didn't mention the numbers . How much less bleeding and mortality with something like eliquis ? Isn't it a very small advantage ? We're all the studies done by the companies making the money from the drugs with no generic versions ? Please put the stars and the source of the information in these presentations thank you
Very clear and very understandable explanation. I’m on Eliquis for my AF. Question.....I thought previously you stated that anti-coagulants don’t actually thin your blood but reduce the coagulation aspect of your blood. So, doe these meds actually cause your blood to be diluted?
What I find weird is that strokes are pretty common yet the only good options we have now costs major money and the old method is cheap and now bad. It's all about the money
I am aware that the DOACS can be hepatotoxic nephrotoxic and now may be linked to interstitial lung disease as well as being a risk of bleeding. Why aren’t more people talking about delimited anticoagulation
You are so right. Had complete organ failure in the hospital; when put on these medications. I was dead for over a month on life support. I detoxed and worked with doctors to get off the medications and my health has improved. I went from 24 percent heart to 45 to 50 percent heart. My kidneys with my liver went back on line. I changed doctors; diet; exercise; homeopathic vitamins and minerals.
Don't pay attention to the negative naysayers, I appreciate your videos. I do have a question. I know take Eliquis and I read that you shouldn't take a fish oil pill while on blood thinners. Is this correct?
After many years on Eliquis, I had the Watchman Procedure. I now only take a Baby Aspirin. The Watchman is amazing. Ask your Dr about it. It is covered by Medicare.
Dr Sanjay, could you do a video on anti-coagulants in the elderly please. I am female 75yrs of age, 5'5" weight 63kgs and at present taking Edoxaban 30mgs as my kidneys were not 💯. As my kidneys are now improved my doctor wants to increase the dose to 60mgs I am very nervous to do so.
I have been told I had adfib just because my blood pressure went high because of stress situation once Since 2016 been on blood thinner . Now my whole body itches, this itching I’m told is one of the irritation can be from blood thinners
Angela, I’ve had same thought, my platelets are very low, born that way, so I struggle with this question too. I always thought having low platelets kept your blood thin
Roche have a device to measure he INR value at home like a blood glucose meter. This is similar to the one used in hospitals and given the time spent going and from the hospital is economic to use.
Hi,l have Bicuspid wall,and my other wall srated having Calcium deposit.I did my Ecchoo where it is reported that i have PVC,sometime have pain in my left rib specially if i eat any spicy food or greecy food p.iam on mediation for bloodpressureZestril 10mg and for cholestrol Explended 10mg.Sometime i have very bad pelpitation.helpme
So helpful they wanted me to go on warfin I said I rather die than go on that because they put my dad on that and he bleed from the bowl almost killed him and what they didn't tell me was that I had to take him to hospital to get tested .they took him off it and gave him nothing they said there wasent anything they could give him he was 90 went on for another 5 years little strokes he died had I known I would of demanded he went on the others i on now riveroxban
Keep talking Dr Kildare!! You- I would take it because of a less chance of bleeding. Uh, I don’t want any chance of bleeding!!! You-I can’t understand why patients don’t want thinners. Listen up doc, they are dangerous, too expensive, and people still have strokes while on them. Why run the risk of having you blood run down to the consistency of WATER. Too many people have down it other ways. Calling dr Howard Dr Fine Dr Howard
I live in us, am 85 yrs old, taking Xeralto blood thinner for Afib, but recently having frequent 😂severe nose bleeds, as soon as I start this med, I start nose bleeding, inspite of ENT had done coagulation 3 times in nose, what to do now with taking the blood thinner, can you advise?
The doctor obviously doesn't know about Pro- Argi 9. This is a Nitric oxide booster/ vascular dialator. Works immediately and can dramatically improve heart function and circulation. You don't need Warfarin.
What happens if you have taken Elquis for a month .they you take it you could have a stroke and if you stop you could. I just have one score ...factor.. which is .my age. I play pickle ball. Tennis exercise. . Blood pressure good never took medication on regular basis just took vitamins
My sister died in the hospital! She had a blood clot in her neck and it travelled to her brain and she died from bleeding in the head. She had a stroke and died in the hospital! For several years prior, she was on 11 medications.
I'm in the uk i was put on Apixaban by the hospital in may 2021 nothing was explained about other choices I've since waited 15 months for my cardioversion witch only worked for 24 hours now 7 weeks later am still waiting to see what's next. thanks for the video you explained it well
From what I read about Nattokanaise it works different then a blood thinner. It takes blood clots out of the body on a micro level. If you already have blood clots you need to be careful. Blood thinners, thin the blood so blood clots can not form and block an artery or vein. If you have a blood clot go to the emergency room quickly. Nattokanaise in the right dosage was used in 2000 patients in Japan to remove blood clots in less then 6 hours. They were being watched by doctors when this was happening. Natto is a animal based mold on beans that has been eaten for centuries in Japan and is very healthy. It is K2; Not K. K is plant based and K2 is animals based. K2 is found in hard cheeses, chicken, but, the largest amount is in the Natto beans from Japan. There has been many studies of over 60,000 patients overseas that has proven it effectiveness in the right dosage. But, you need to do your own research and work with your doctor to determine if this is the right fit for you. The test in the US was incomplete. Big Pharma used very small dosages that would do nothing for anyone. You always need to look at the raw data to determine if the test is correct. Natto has no side effects and strengthens the arteries and veins. If you already have a blood clot it could be dangerous; It could release parts of a blood clot while breaking it down and it could travel and cause problems. Do your own research and determine if this works for you. I know of several people taking Natto and there health has improved. New England Journel of medicine tells all patients that it is essential to do your own research and work with your doctor for the best plan for you.
What does "less" mean? That is a completely unscientific statement. And what happened to the people who had a brain hemorrhage under a NOAC, which - as I understand you - cannot be achieved by an antidote? I think, they died?
It is unwise and very unsafe to give medical advice or to dismiss it if you are not qualified, don't have the knowledge and know nothing about the patient or condition. Any amount of any vegetables is not going to stop the blood pooling in areas of the heart and subsequently forming life threatening clots. Although the term mostly used to describe what the mentioned medications do is "thinning", it is not entirely accurate. It would be more accurate to think of their action as making the blood more slippery, (less able to coagulate). But that too is a simplification. If you do not know that, you should not advise others with personal miss belief. You cannot get the correct range and action from vegetables (or peppers) to protect your life.
It is not medical advice it is a suggestion...you have to do the homework according to you but is is pompous of you to dismiss good nutrition. That and exercise with the supervision of a doctor is the best way to start. There are different types of doctors as well. some put you immediately on medication and don't focus on why you have the problem. Look beyond that. Become as educated as you can about your condition. This doctor is reasonable, also you may want to look at Dr. Alan Mandel's videos. He talks about super foods, antioxidants, and how you can practice prevention. That is the best suggestion, listen to many different sources and read different doctor's options from the traditionalists to the doctors of natural medicine. I am convinced that you must stay hydrated at all times and drink filtered water. also, stay active by walking everyday and get your circulation flowing and as you walk, take deep breaths. avoid the obvious pitfalls such as smoking, too much sugar too much salt, fast foods, alcohol. avoid stress, if you meditate, or pray to God, you have a great advantage!!!
This is your professional medical opinion is it.. I think that you should go over your script with someone who knows about these things . No not Warfarin, !, Apixaban Yes I have lost the will to live now. Arc you being paid by the minute.