Doctor Gupta not only explains things clearly, but his pace is perfect - similar to talking to a friend. Some experts' videos are so fast paced, i have to back up again and again & repeat. When doctors explain complex issues and studies, it takes a second or two to digest and go on to further complex ideas or conclusions. They simply talk too fast. Dr. Gupta's delivery is perfect!
This is wonderful to hear. I have paroxysmal Afib and have been scared that I would have a stroke during an episode. I have learned so much from you. Thank you.
I'm glad to hear this since I was recently diagnosed with Afib. I was surprised to learn I had it because I wasn't even aware of the rapid and irregular heartbeats and had no other symptoms. Strokes and heart attacks run in my family so I suspected it was also my eventual fate. So glad I stumbled onto Dr. Gupta in my search for information. I've learned so much and value him immensely because my doctor failed to explain A Fib and treatment adequately. I love listening to Dr. Gupta and appreciate his willingness to share his knowledge and expertise.
Another great video thanks! I have very random Afib (been 12 months now since the last!), have no comorbidities, am getting on a bit at 49 years old, but this has really helped put my mind at rest regarding the stroke risk, Many thanks for your great work :)
Fascinating. I had always wondered why whether I was in AF or not wasn't included in the CHA2DS2VASC score. Yes, it's a scoring system for those with AF, but it doesn't differentiate between AF and NSR, or paroxysmal/permanent etc. which you would think it would if the stroke risk was due, temporally, to AF. The scoring kind of implies that it's for when you are in AF permanently. From my own experience post-ablation, all 3 of my Cardios over the years (one an eminent UK professor, one my EP who did the ablation and is equally eminent and the last my local Cardio who is also well respected in the field) were very clear that I should not **automatically** come off anti-coagulant post ablation and this needed discussion. But they did agree to me coming off since my risks were at the time low - score of 1 due to high BP. I think the provocative title of this video is great since it highlights a misunderstanding - it got my attention!
This guy is an angel and probably one of the most well-spoken intelligent doctors I have ever heard in my life and I am 66 years old and have been in the medical field for 30 years.. God bless him for helping people like us.. I am having palpitations and not sure if I am having a fib or not but I have to wait 3 weeks to get a 72-hour holter monitor which is making me crazy..
I’ve had AF, 3 ablations, low co morbidity scores and stopped anti coagulation after each procedure. Now have Watchman to block heart pouch where most clots form. Feeling good improving health with Keto, etc! Thanks for your heart ♥️ info! Makes sense. 💥
Dr. Gupta, what was explained to me by a cardiologist after an ER/admission due to AF was that while the heart is in the action of atrial fibrillation, it pumps blood less efficiently. The heartbeat is obviously more erratic and (in my case) was pumping at a much faster rate. He showed me video from an echocardiogram I'd had while in AF to illustrate the point. The danger, according to him, was that during this time that the chambers of your heart aren't pumping in normal rhythm, some blood will pool at the bottom of the ventricle (I can't remember if he specified which one) and that after your heart returns to sinus rhythm, the heart returns to a more efficient pumping rhythm and can pump out that pooled blood, which can cause clots that can potentially lead to stroke. So my question is, is this an incorrect description of what happens to the heart's efficiently/pumping/rhythm where a certain amount of blood can begin to clot in one of the chambers of the heart that can then be pumped out after you are converted and return to normal/sinus rhythm? I'm not doubting the data you presented in the video, I'm just curious as to if that period between atrial fibrillation and conversion to sinus rhythm can indeed cause some pre-clotting or clotted blood to enter the bloodstream as a result of that conversion.
Would really appreciate a reply to this from Dr Gupta. I found the video very interesting and stroke risk is a real worry for us Afibbers and I homed in on the blood clotting/pooling in the atrial appendage, so surely this can happen with or without comorbidities??
My doctor said this too about Afib even thou I have no comorbidities except age (69) and female. My BP is on the low side (usually 110-115 over 65 / 75.
@@susanprice4416 yes, i have the same question. Could the risk of stroke EXIST REGARDLESS of comorbidities like being over 65yo, have High BP etc. Because technically the blood could easily CLOT when the atria is fibrillating like that all the time . Just because the study did not show that data, does not mean that theory is wrong (that you could be at risk of stroke WITHOUT the co-morbs ....
After 12 strokes, and with Afib, I challenge you to find what else caused my many strokes. Only 1 doctor out of many saw the Afib; the others thought the EKG was the Cape Argus.
Dr. Gupta sir listen your entire video very interesting and informative shows your mastery and devotion to your profession and your desire to help patients suffering from such symptoms. Laudable. My good wishes 09/11/2019
You are so right! I have paroxysmal AFbib; the Dr. Prescribed Xarelto. I noticed my palpitations are not as frequent now. I fainted last October. I had thyroid surgery almost two years ago and my Dr. Found out the thyroid hormone was high, he said I probably fainted because the hyperthyroidism triggered an AFib. the TSH was 1.1. He adjusted the dosage of Levothyroxine. Now an electrophysiologist wants me to stop taking the anticoagulant; however My Neurologist told me very serious, “never stop taking them”. I have had many little strokes.😳 So even if my Atrial AFib is better, I could have a stroke because of my high B/P, and the previous little brain strokes he saw I had.
Sandra from SC - Nice explanation about factors that should be considered in making sound medical decisions. Its important that patients understand how these decision are made. I used to think drs had a secret wheel of fortune that they spun before they walked in to your appointment and you got whatever the spinner happened to land on. Laughing. I am a much better purveyor of my own health care now that I am informed. Thank you for all you do!!!!!!
Very interesting, but I presumed I was put on anticoagulants to help me when I went into Afib( make it easier for the heart to pump the blood), my doctor & consultant have never said to me Im putting you on anticoagulants for any other reason. Thankyou for the video, its made me look at my health in other ways( being overweight etc)
The stroke is caused by a blood clot breaking free and lodging in the brain. AF increases the chance of a clot forming because there can be stagnant regions in the atria and left atrial appendage. The clot can break free a long time after the AF has stopped. So it is arguable whether or not the AF caused the stroke. My reasoning says 'yes, the AF caused the stroke' because if AF had never occurred in the first place then there would not have been a clot. Other comorbidities in older people are also going to increase the risk of a clot. Cause and effect. I have seen other videos of yours and have agreed, but in this case I respectfully disagree.
@York Cardiology I wish Dr. Gupta could clarify about what you said because it is confusing of whether AF really causes the strokes (in young or old people) or there should be comobidities to have a stroke??
for want of a better word, maybe AF "facilitates" rather than "trigger" the stroke. If stroke was a bank robbery, AF provides the getaway vehicle ,and another accomplice (maybe a narrowed artery or high BP) is the robber that perform the deed..
AF eventually causes electrical and physical remodelling of the heart leading to bad outcomes including stroke and heart failure. It is a long term chronic disease for most people. The AF is therefore bound up with other co-morbidities...eventually as it progresses. The AF needs to be treated and preferably early on before these changes occur. It is kind of unhelpful to select out the actual AF and strokes as being totally unrelated as ultimately they are bound together.
This brings up the possibility (admittedly probably rare) of a patient who through lifestyle changes manages to eliminate comorbidities. Let's say for example a patient with diabetes or insulin resistance, obesity, and hypertension by change in diet, weight loss, mineral therapy etc becomes normal in all of those markers. Does the past history still indicate that some form of anticoagulant should still be continued?
I have paroxysmal afib and score very low on the scale and they still want me on blood thinners, which I do not take yet because I refuse. I tried one Eliquis and got very sick so I don't think I will try again.
I'm not on facebook because I do not support communists but I do enjoy you on youtube. I appreciate your thorough information and even though Im an older lady, I still like looking at a handsome man who just happens to be smart and accomplished as well. God Bless.
With my AFib, I take low dose aspirin and Pradaxa to prevent brain blockages. I have a number of xray-visible lesions in my brain and I would therefore be very unwilling to discontinue these drugs
Excellent report, Dr. What is. your take on the efficacy of the Watchman Procedure to stop strokes? And, what is your take on natural anticoagulants such as curcumin and fish oil to stop storkes?
Thank you Dr Gupta for explaining so clearly that correlation is not causation. However, in your examples, there were no studies cited of two groups of equally high levels of comorbidity, except that one group has AF and the other does not. That would be the acid test. In other words, strokes happen mainly among older persons with cardiovascular disease. Among these, it may well be that those with AF have much higher incidence of stroke. May I have your comments on that? Thank you.
AFib as a 40 year old man is TERRIFYING, I rather be shot, it’s horrible feeling the Rhythm and shortness of breath for 24 plus hours 😢 the effect of quality of life sucks!
So interesting, I was put on anticoagulant for AF after I had a Takasubo cardiomyopathy last year, the AF was only discoverrd recently, then had to stop the meds after 4 weeks due side effects, seeing specialist tommoro finally. Not sure what he will suggest.
Anybody with everything happens with exertion, I'm usually althete but now since chest episode last 12 hrs palpitations followed by dizziness, blurred vision, feel weak, lower heart rate, bad headache but the eyes, numb face sometimes, it's been 2 months nothing irregular on tests, anybody else with symptoms, I believe stress started it, desperate for advice
That was pretty interesting. So what you're saying is if your heart is unhealthy and you have high risk factors and a high Chad score you are at risk of stroke anyway regardless of the AFib. And as long as your studies are correct you sort of proved that.
I fully agree with this thought/theory. I'm nearly 78 and have Paroxysmal Afib, and no other health issues. My heart is healthy, blood pressure is low, absolutely no other problems. I have a healthy diet, take a lot of supplements, do not eat or drink any of the trigger food/drink and am active. I have refused to take the Eliquis and am not very concerned about it. I very much appreciate your sharing all of this research you've done. It has helped me have more confidence in living without feeling like a ticking time-bomb.
Same here. I have afib since I'm 30 years old. I stop drinking and smoking at 34 and I'm 56 now and working in construction all day of my life. Normal BP and very healthy plan to live until 100 years old
Thanks again Sanjay! I really appreciated this one. My cardiologist does not like to take the time to explain all of this to me. So you are really fulfilling a definite need! 👍🌷
They don’t know, they are too busy promoting pharmaceutical drugs. They actually get flustered & mad if you ask too many questions... They have Stressful Jobs & No two people are the Same
Do you ever think about or consider updating valuable posts like this one? Even if just to say, I'm still convinced of this and here's further proof that it is an accurate statement? Only because I know a lot can change in a few years. Even if not, I still think this is as important a statement as "cholesterol doesn't cause atherosclerosis" and I appreciate you for it!
Extremely interesting and helpful. Particularly enlightening in trying to come to grips with the confusing and often unpleasant world of Afib. Thank you for all that you do.
My father was on blood thinner. He went off of it. Took aspirin two years. He got tired of taking it. Informed his cardiologist he was not going to take anything. 6 months later got a stroke. It took him three years of therapy to talk and to think. He was very bright and witty , CEO of a big company. He never got back to the state of mind before a stroke. I’m not taking my chances. After a diagnosis I’m taking blood thinner.
All doctors I've seen with my A-F diagnosed a year ago have told me aspirin doesn't stop blood clotting/strokes - not strong enough. They immediately changed the aspirin to Apixaban.
My mum has a chad score of 3. She is amazing healthy and looks a lot younger then her 80 years. She has AFib , no other health problems. She is prepared to take beta blockers but not blood thinners
I have AF and went off xarelto a few weeks later I had a stroke, I was very fit and active ate healthy so to the people on this thread think carefully about stopping anti coagulants
Hi -thanks - clearly explained and makes perfect sense. I'm a cardiology reg. However if AF and stroke not linked then this raises the question as to why we anti-coagulate prior to cardioversion?
Perviz they anti coagulate before a cardioversion because after you get into sinus rhythm the atria still quiver for a while so the blood can still pool, yet I understand why you are asking . I think the main issue would have been that after you convert if there was a clot it would probably push it thru but they usually do a TEE to see if there is one so not sure..
Dr Gupta, 😃 please don't let anyone affect u by saying you r not an electrophysiology or in anyway try to disqualify u. Many r certificated but few r truly educated. You r a gem, rare jewel in the medical field. Keep on being true to your promise to help us keep as healthy as possible. Greed for $ has its returns. Your reward comes from above. Dear Jesus bless u!
This logical analysis by the good gentleman leads us to the understanding that afib is indeed a marker that when accompanied by various comorbidities can and often will lead to a stroke. But critically, in the absence of being accompanied by comorbidities, the afib in of itself is not a cause per se of strokes. The results of the studies speak for themselves. Excellent analysis that the rank and file medical practitioners choose to amazingly ignore, They advertise and throw the 500% greater risk of stroke stat at you, yet they fail to explain the big stroke numbers are occurring with afib + comorbidities. Bravo Dr. Gupta! Bill Florian
Thank You so much for explaining so well Afib Had soon a year ago Afib for först time. Why, NO one told me .Few months before Afib had concasion,surgery of my foot,Lots of stress.My heart is healthy, have no high blood presse or other comodities 76 year old physio, live very healthy life.Nutrition is for me important as physical aktivity.No smoker, drink very little red wine. Benen on Eliquis for 7 months but stoped as i felt as zombie. Aproved life style and I feel very well. I did not believed in taking pills for rest of my life ,becouse I believe one can do a lot self by get more info,etc.This is what I did ❤
@@Bunny69Beeif you just compare all individuals with Afib versus all individuals without AFib the five times Factor absent examining the categories of those with Afib is accurate. But when you get in the trenches and analyze those with afib without co-morbidities you see that number drop substantially
My A-Fib has kept me in fear of stroke. The fear, I believe, triggered more A-Fib from the stress. So it was a vicious circle. Your videos have given me peace and my A-Fib is decreasing. Thank you so, so much.
@Marco Antonio Uribe Jr Get a second opinion..Treat your body (self) with respect.Drop bad habits.Eat right.Exercise.You should be ok.You're too young for anxiety.
I actually love what you wrote him that he is to young for anxiety I’ve been suffering with health anxiety since I was 19 and diagnosed with being an hypochondriac started having anxiety attacks around age 24-27 now I still suffer from some anxiety but not as major as it use to be. Now I’ve been having palpitations (PVCS) for almost a year off and on now and experienced this weird irregular heartbeat yesterday that has had me worried all night and day I’ve just recently received a stress test last week and a ECG . I go back this week to get a 24 hr holter monitor put on for 24 hrs and I get all my results Thursday! I’m so nervous I just pray everything is okay because I don’t want to be on meds because I don’t believe in taking meds I always felt horrible taking medicine I am so darn worried wish I didn’t worry so much about my health.
Thank you Dr Sanjay, you have answered my questions with this video. You are amazing! Please accept all our thanks to you sir. I no longer take meds, especially anti coagulants, my atril fib was momentary at 78 and nothing else wrong in any way, I am very healthy.
I am 79 and recently had afib while I had Covid. Was taken to the emergency room and all kinds of testing was done. Every one of them came back just fine. Didn’t find anything wrong with me. The cardiologist on duty put me on Eliquis and metoprolol. Both have dizziness as a side effect. I’ve been dizzy every day except one (18 days). I have no co morbidity’s except being a healthy 79 year old. When go to my follow up visit with the cardiologist I’m going to tell him I wan off those meds. I do not believe I need to be on them.
You say that there is no temporal relationship between the AFib and the stroke, but the prevailing theory is that the blood clots causing the strokes are mainly formed in the left atrial appendage (LAA) due to poor circulation during AFib. These clots can then dislodge at any arbitrary time, so it makes sense that there is not always a temporal relationship. So yes, AFib doesn't cause stroke directly, but it certainly can certainly cause it indirectly. The co-factors in CHADSVASC say something about the increased risk of clotting to occur in the LAA. I would be interested to hear your response :)
Yes, thanks. Dr Gupta is doing a wonderful service with these videos, but I too spotted this logic flaw in the good doctor's argument that the afib events do not directly cause the stroke. Thrombi can form in as little as 5 minutes, but can sit in the LAA for a very long time before being dislodged.
I am so grateful that you take your valuable time to help people. I find it so hard to get the answers to my AF questions when the clock is ticking in a Doctor’s Office/surgery. Thank you so much. This video helped me understand my situation.
Thank you so much for this explanation! I was not given anticoagulants after my cardioversion because, I see now, because I had NO other comorbidities. My cardiologist thought and weighed this very carefully and discussed blood thinners with me - I didn't realize it was because Afib isnt really a CAUSE of stroke. WOW. Im feeling so much relief now! Sometimes my heart flutters really frighten me because of risk of stroke. I feel so much better now. THANK YOU. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I stopped anti-coagulants aged 60 in Jan 18 OK'd by my cardiologist. He discharged me saying in writing that I would not need anti coagulants till 65 as my stroke risk was minimal. I had a fairly large infarction in February. Thankfully I got to ward 41 of RVI and was given a thrombectomy.
As a layperson,I'm confused about your theory. You say A-fib does weaken the left atrium and affect the Left Ventrical. I can understand why, then, the stagnant blood in the LA that may (?) result might clot and possibly ultimately cause a stroke. Are you saying that age, High BP, diabetes etc.are what REALLY cause that clot in the LA to migrate? Or do you think it isn't a-fib alone that is causing the clot, itself? I'm sorry, but I'm still confused. Exactly what role, and how big a role, do you now believe a-fib plays in causing strokes? Anyone?
i think A-Fib is just a "factor" in stroke risk. You need other "co-factors" to make stroke happen. In the absence of other "co-factors" (the accomplice), the crime of stroke is less likely...
What a relief ! I have been told by two doctors recently that I will have stroke unless I do what they say and take anti coagulants. I did take them for a few weeks and they nearly killed me. Quite horrible. I have discovered that many, many diseases, medications etc. cause AFIB My family has a complicated inherited medical history with Pernicious Anemia, too long to explain here, but they seem to live long with AFIB. My Mother lived to 90 even though she had not been treated for it since she was a child (had to eat raw liver every day) and the injections were only started in her late 50's. She had the excessive bleeding that comes with some P A's I believe the AFIB is caused by the heart trying to get oxygen around to the major organs, not because of heart disease, but because there is a problem in the blood with the corpuscles. I was encouraged by your post. I have so much more information to give but here is not the place. I am English but I live in Texas, where there are diseases that can only be cured by Big Pharma.
I realize your post is 6 months old but I agree with you. I was very borderline with hemoglobin & I have Pots which causes low blood volume. Well, I had a large blood draw & it put me over the edge & I know I have anemia from the horrific symptoms & shortness of breath. A few weeks after taking iron pills the muscle pain went away which I thought was from Pots. Not long after all this I had Afib & was in the hospital for 5 days with 3 attacks while in there. I know my oxygen is low in a different test I took so I know it hasn't built up yet. My electrolytes are low possibly from the low oxygen? My heart started beating faster since the big blood draw since it's trying to get oxygen to other organs. We need our nutrients more than the doctors realize. Plz let me know if you read this. I am part English as well. There is more to this than it's just beating too fast, there is always a reason. My heart itself is fine. I didn't eat meat & my other parts of the storage became too low in my iron.
I think part of problem is here in the US the drug companies run ads on tv for blood thinners. We have Jerry West telling us he has A-fib and takes a blood thinner to prevent strokes.
@RXTE : The CHA2DS2-VASc score, can be done verbally. For instance, are you diabetic? Have you ever had a stroke? Do you have history of High Blood pressure. Look at the simple test in the link and if you score a 3 or higher, your doctor might just go ahead and prescribe. www.mdcalc.com/cha2ds2-vasc-score-atrial-fibrillation-stroke-risk
@@ccsitaround The U.S. has many tv ads shown daily about many pharmaceutical drugs! Most of them have serious and even deadly side-effects. There are already some class-action lawsuits filed against some of these drug companies..BUT..the commercials just keep on coming!!! Too much money to be made to stop them......
The afib stalls blood flow in the atrium, especially in the left atrial appendage. This leads to the blood clotting in these areas and eventially the clots peel off and cause strokes. Anticoagulants dissolve these clots.
Anticoagulation causes blood to move more seem less aka this movement makes people feel like their blood has thinned. Dr. Gupta did a video on anticoagulants maybe you could watch it for a better understanding.
@@LadyLucienneWedo Anti-coagulants interfer with the clotting process. Slows it way down. If I get even a scratch or minor cut I will bleed for quite a long time before to clotting mechanism kicks in enough to stop the bleeding! I take the blood-thinner xarelto. I haven't noticed any negative side-effects yet, and I've been taking it for almost 3 years now. Of course there's always the risk of an uncontrolled bleeding event, so I try to be very careful! I am 67 and have moderate high blood pressure.
My best friend was recently diagnosed with Afib. I have been trying to educate myself on this condition so that I can better understand what he is experiencing. I have been so very scared of the possibilities of a stroke, but I now understand comorbidity. My bestie does not have any other health issues and he is under 60, so I feel confident that he will be a-okay with the help of his doctors and family!! Thank God!! And thank you, Doctor Sanjay! 🙏🏾
i was taking eliquis i got so sick of it... so many bieffects... i could not have a regular day or life while taking it... headaches! felt sick to my stomach i had to run to the toilets many times per day... neckpains out of breath because it causes to red bloodcells decreasing... i slept 5-7 times per day because i was exhausted.... i felt hungover like hell... so this is good to hear... thank you!
An awful lot would likely depend upon the afib load: how often and how long are the episodes. Your logical fallacy is treating all afib as the same. People who have short and infrequent episodes are less likely to form a dangerous clot that might actually lead to a stroke. As for timing, if a clot forms during afib, heaven only knows when that clot might break loose/break up and cause issues. Your logic is sloppy in the extreme. Another factor is time to treat an afib episode, especially after the first episode. If you are on anticoagulants, that expedites cardioversion as a treatment.
Thanks to your clickbait title, my elderly mother refuses to take her newly prescribed anticoagulant. You should know your videos do as much harm as good. But clearly, you don't care as long as you get the likes/views and you can enjoy the sound of your own voice.
Thanks dr gupta for your video and talk on afib and strokes. 3 weeks ago I had an ablation and I'm now totally absent of afib symtoms . But what concerns me is that my electrophysiologist made it clear to me that I did not need to take further anti coagulants after 1 month . I am a very active 75 yr old athletic person but do have high blood pressure which is well controlled . Does my high activity level carry less risk of a stroke ? I will continue on ecotrin but stop the xaralto after 1 month . Thanks for your views again
But is it not the irregular beating and quivering of the heart (AFib) that causes the blood to enter the pouch-like left atrial appendage and clot there because of the stagnation?
My Doctor is trying to scare me into going on Warfrin for my AF. I'm right out refusing because I don't believe I will have a stroke from AF. I was on so many heart meds after a heart attack in 2014 that made me so ill that I could barely function. I came off all meds and swore I'd rather die than feel that disabled ever again. .. So next time I go my doctors for something and he hijacks that app to discuss Warfrin like he does everytime, I am showing him this video. . So thankyou for reinforcing what I feel instinctively about the risk of stroke from AF and need for Warfrin
The risk of strokes goes up with age (>65) and additional comorbidities. The aim of the video was to make people aware that it is those things in addition to the AF that increase the risk of strokes
I feel that perhaps the title of the video is misleading . I’m am 74 and newly diagnosed with Paroxysmal A fib . And Zero co morbidities . So am now on a blood thinner , a beta blocker and an antiarrythmic .
do you know that Warfarin is actually "rat poison" ? . if you don't believe, go and check in the supermarket aisle. My mom died from bleeding stroke (non-ischemic) in 2007. She had been on warfarin for a year. The INR level of the blood need to be reviewed through daily blood test best done in hospital setting.
I had a A-Fib for the first time in my life. I had low cholesterol, no strokes, blood clots, pain, etc. I was in the Internalist doctor's office to check my blood for Thyroid levels. I took my Thyroid meds and didn't take Metformin since I was fasting when my heart started to race. I now know I should take the Metformin even if I don't eat. Originally my levels were all in range. My T3 level was a low normal and my doctor decided to give me a regular thyroid pill plus T3 pill. After A-Fib my doctor took me off the Thyroid pills. I'm 79 with Type 2 Diabetic. I do get exercise, etc. Cardiologist wants me on blood thinner, etc Thank you for your study analysis.
Same. I was put on a very low dose of Levothyroxin for hypothyroidism. Had my first AFib episode two weeks ago and was taken off the Levo. I am 64 years old. I do have high blood pressure that I take meds for. Was put on metoprolol and xarelto also.
@@annsupdates4909 Welp, even though I was only put on very low dosage I experienced major fatigue!! And I did some research and found that contrary to what most doctors were taught, that this go-to drug for heart patients did NOT in fact prevent heart attacks or heart failure. It did Not improve heart function. It was a study done over about, I think it said 20 years? And it was a double -blind study with several thousand heart patients that were followed. So over a year ago I ditched the metoprolol completely. But like I said, I was on a very low dose to start with! I still take the blood-thinner because of the high risk of stroke from blood-clots due to Afib. Also want to say that if my resting heart rate was high then I might have considered staying on the metoprolol?🤔 Because yes, it Does lower your heart rate! But it ALSO lowers everything else! Our bodies have beta-cells throughout, not just in our hearts! So *everything* gets slowed way down! That's WHY you can feel so sluggish and fatigued on a beta-blocker such as metoprolol!😉 Tip: I do keep a script of metoprolol around. Why? Because when I have an Afib episode I will sometimes take a tablet to help slow my heart rate down. Thank Goodness I don't experience Afib very often anymore!#YAY! Hope this was helpful and you could understand me in spite of my rambling and long, run-on sentences!!😊
@BPJ I Agree. And if my heart rate was high, then I would take the beta blocker. But my resting heart rate is in normal range already, and the metoprolol makes it drop too low which made me feel very slow and sluggish! I always try and eat clean and nourishing meals. And I exercise daily, along with staying active with doing chores and housework ect. And thank heavens, my Afib episodes are much less intense and much less frequent lately! #YAY! (Wishing you all the best!😉)
If you go on Keto and make intermittent fasting, you'll not be diabetic patient...so, you don't need to take Metformin and nothing else... Berberine is the best for diabetic patient.
I've had 4 cardioversions and an ablation over the past year and half. Had my ablation and 4th cardioversion in the same month. Medications have been adjusted many times. Blood pressure will not stay normal. Always jumps from normal to hypertension to ER visits. All the bills. No progress.
(29 F with afib)When I asked my electrophysiologist at the Cleveland clinic(highly rated for the cardiology department), if getting an ablation would stop my risk of strokes he flat out said "no". He had no hesitation in his answer. 100% confidence. He said they do it when the palpitations/afib interferes with someones life too much or start to cause physical changes in the heart. Prior to the appointment I was going to ask to get an ablation; after his answer it felt like it was the equivalent of "cosmetic surgery" for your heart.
I agree. I had one episode other then a skipped beat once in a while which has happened since I was in my 20s now 50's. My electrophysiologist said ablation right away. I want to fix the cause not the symptom. Some people that have had ablation either have to have more than one or have to have ablations every few years as thought the heart heals and goes right back to the previous afib. Anxiety is my biggest hurdle.
@@JWard2 That is precisely what this video says. Afib is not a risk factor in CHA2DS2 - VASc which the doctors use to decide whether or not to put you on anticoagulants. If you are over 65, presto, here is a prescription. Seems like the same story as statins, the pharmaceutical companies have another tool to fatten their bank accounts.
@@JWard2 IF you also have co-morbidities such as over 65 years of age, plus other factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, ect., then AFib or no AFib your risk of stroke is very High!!!
Is there really any negative (other than cost) to staying on an anti-coagulant like Apixaban? I was just recently diagnosed with Afib and I am 77. Had a mini-stroke 3 yrs. ago, and was told to take aspirin because an artery in my neck was 65% clogged.
I have afib and love DR Guptas videos as he has given me much more helpful information than my Doctor who never volunteers any information . My problem with this video is it makes me feel DR Gupta is saying you are more likely to have a stroke if you have co-morbidity factors like diabetes, overweight,etc. I thought the stroke came from the heart not pumping blood while in afib . Wouldn't a person who had afib which stopped pumping the blood cause it to clot whether the person had co-morbidity factors or not. my chad score is 0. If I have afib event and my heart does not pump, why would it not clot like a person who had co morbidity factors or a high chad score? Thank you so much Dr Gupta for your videos, they have helped me more than i can tell you. My DR wants me to have an ablation but I am trying to make lifestyle changes and supplements first. They can not tell me why i am getting afib so I see no reason to not try to make it better on my own first, but when it goes into afib it is hard to be brave and not think about an ablation.
Hello Robb, I had AFIB for two years. The first Cardiologist put me on Propafenone. He kept increasing the dosage. At the advice of a friend of mine, I changed my doctor. He quickly put me on Flecanide. This was 5 months ago. I have had no episodes since then. I have a zero Chad score and was not prepared to undergo any surgery until I exhausted all my options.
My doctor wants to do ablation on me also. I cancelled my surgery appointment until I try to treat it naturally starting with a sleep study because mine happened at night waking me up. I have cut out caffiene and no extra sodium except what is already present in foods. No alcohol and keep hydrated. How are you doing?
Yeah! The way you explained it us exactly what I thought. The stroke was as a result of the heart not pumping effectively, and the blood pooling inside which may eventually cause a clot....
Dr. Gupta, you are a GEM. I know so much more NOW. You speak simply and a doctors degree is not needed to understand you. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR KNOWLDGE.
Dear sir I can not ever thank you enough for this video which popped up tonight after I’d been praying for an answer to wether I should take the blood thinners that Drs are constantly advising me to take, they made me feel so ill I stopped them, now I’m told I’m a ticking time bomb for a stroke if I don’t take them. Normal bp not diabetic age 69 recent diagnosed with afib. Thank you and God bless you always for caring about your patients the way you do
Thank you for such a great explanation of A. fib treatment and anticoagulation! I'm going for a consult today to an interventional cardiologist to discuss possibly ablation for my P. A. fib. I feel much better prepared to discuss this with the info you presented!
I'm 51, I have lone afib and I hate it. My cardiologist put me on to the Kardia, which is how I found it. I also had Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (still in doubt wether it is a heart attack or heart failure), when I was 44, so I"m assuming this Afib stems from that, but who knows? Do you think this device. Kardia is accurate? I found you just recently, and I love that you take the time out to do this for us!!!! Cute too!!!!
Cameron And Tracey I asking a same! I starting not trusting Kardia because when going ECG I can see my heart rate is changing and kardia always showing nothing!! Always saying no abnormality!! Even I can feel when is my heart is not working properly!! U just feel trowed out my many!!😊
@@piroskamerk106 it's only designed to flag Afib. It will show ectopics for example on the ecg read out. You should show anything that is not a normal sinus rhythm to your doctor. It's so accurate that my cardiologist accepts my ecgs when they are wonky.
he is cute isn't he? I have Takostubo Cardiomyopathy. It is a form of transient heart failure. It often gets better, but some people end up with palpitations or with Afib. www.Takotsubo.net
Has anyone used Kardia? From what I understand, it can only detect afib. Is there something else in the form of a portable ecg machine that can tell me what rhythm I am in if it is not afib?
I have been using Kardia device. It detects AFib and tachycardia. Otherwise it says "normal" which I've been assuming means normal sinus rhythm. My GP said these devices are pretty accurate. It only replicates a 6-lead ekg and not a 12-lead. Maybe this is why it's limited?
I have read that A fib could cause a clot to break loose from the artery wall that already has plaque breaking through it from a lot of inflammations. So, its not really causing the stroke, but rather it is helping to bring the stroke to happen.
Great video, I am 30 diagnosed a year ago with paroxysmal Afib and haven’t had an episode since but have had some pvc’s here and there. My doctor initially prescribed baby aspirin which I bruised very easily from and so I stopped. I know now that I had this condition for at least 8 years and just thought it was anxiety related. Typically mine were always triggered by something that caused dehydration. I appreciate your video and the time you spent on presenting this information. I think every since been diagnosed I have felt different even though I know it wasn’t my first episode. This video has really helped put things into a better perspective.
I would also love to hear how you are doing now ? Also if you’re in blood thinners ? I’ve just been out on rivaroxaban and I’m not happy about it. I’m 47 years old and as of yet haven’t had any scans to see wether or not I have any other heart issues related to my afib.
@@raff23able I’m doing pretty well. That was 01/2020 when I had that episode and I’ve only had one other one in 09/2021 (self converted within a day) which I most likely induced from a long week of drinking and not properly hydrating. Also, my new doctor doesn’t have me on any medication at this time because of my low CHAD score.
Timely discussion. I recently had an ablation for AFIB, and the electrophysiologist advised that I should continue eliquis for a few weeks more. I related to him that I had only minor, occasional bruising, and that my incidence of retinal migraine had dropped markedly after starting eliquis. I also mentioned that his cardiology group had started me on this drug based on my CHADS score. Given any voice in the matter, I'll chose to continue this rather expensive regimen. Thank you for giving me more ammunition for this fight.
I have been in at fib since January 2022. I had moved into a disability apt for a few months and was also experiencing dehydration quite a bit in Florida. I drank appx 2 cups.of Star books coffee each.day and occasionally started drinking Matucha tea. Also I found out the people.above my apt that had moved in smoked medical Marijuana which also smelled.of chemicals. I asked management to move me to a different apt dud to my becoming dizzy and not feeling well. They continued to ignore me. The next thing I remember was not being able to catch my breath and felt I was dying. I ended up in ER with very fast atrial fib . I was admitted to icu and told.i needed to go on a blood thinner. Everything happened so quick and I never had this before or understood what was happening to me. They decided to tube me and a procedure to try to put me back in normal sinus rhythm. I was scared and took the Eliquis 5mg 2x a day. The procedure showed I had a blood clot in left Atrium. I was.told I had to stay on blood thinner. I was also told I had hbp, and chf. .I was tubed and had.same procedure 2 more times within 2-3 months. Last procedure was told it " looked like a calcification in my left Atrium. I WAS.PUT ON PRADAXA 150MG 2XDA. METOPROLOL SUCC ER 100 MG ,DIGOXIN 125 MCG 1 TAB X1 A DAY, ZESTRIL 2.5 MG 1.TAB A DAY , LASIX 20 MG 1 TAB DA AND TAKEN OFF ELIQUS AND THE OTHER MEDS. WE HAD A major hurricane 2 MONTHS LATER. I WAS EVACUATED TO HURRICANE SHELTER for 3.months with no medical care. FROM there I WAS sent by Red Cross to Another town to heart hopital. I LOST EVERYHING I HAD. I HAD NO MONEY SO AND COULD NOT AFFORD MY PRADAXA DOE.TO COST. MY NEW DOCTOR CHANGED MY PRADAXA BACK TO ELIQUIS 5 MG X2 ADAY. TODAY IS MARCH 24 AND I STARTED ELIQUIS YESTERDAY WITH THE DIGOXIN, ZESTRIL AND.LASIX . I AM SCARED AND..AM SCHEDULED TO SEE A CARDOLOGIST.I HOPE SOON. I AM STILL IN AT. FIB AND HAVE HAD NO LAB WORK YET . STILL NOT SURE ABOUT CLOT OR IF ITS CALSIFICATIED? ALSO IS THERE A INTERACTION BETWEEN MY.DIGOXIN AND ELIQUIS? ZESTRIL? LASIX? ANY SUGGESTIONS. I NEED YOUR EMAIL PLEASE. ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED. J.
So if I understand this correctly, I shouldn't need anti-coagulants or be worried about stroke. I'm 53 very occasional AFib and no other risk factors( high BP, diabetes ) and otherwise healthy and normal BMI. Your videos are excellent, thanks💕
If AFib is not independently associated with an increased stroke risk - via the irregular heartbeat causing blood to pool in the Left Atrial Appendage (?) and form clots - why do devices like the Watchman that close off the LAA dramatically decrease stroke incidence in older, high risk patients??
This has been very interesting to hear as I’m waiting to have ablation for AF.In 2017 I had a Takotsubo cardiopathy,long story!,since then I had suffered heart palpitations and my beta blocker dose increased,I was experiencing daily episodes.About 6 months ago I was put on an antidepressant to see if that would help,slight improvement but palpitations didn’t stop.I always if I needed an anticoagulant as I knew there was a worry about pooling which could cause a stroke.I was told I wouldn’t need as I didn’t have high blood pressure.Last October I collapsed in town ,I had a stroke! which affected my right side,i could not speak had weakness in my arm and hand,could not type,write,kept walking into things on my right! Was able to speak the next day after my stroke as time went by it became a lot better.I have made very good progress.I have always blamed not being on a anticoagulant the reason why had my stroke .Im taking one now! and will do for the rest of my life,I’m 58 by the way.So this was very interesting and changed my way of thinking on what’s happened to me.
Hi Thanks for all your excellent content on AFib. My understanding based on doctors advice was that AFib potentially caused a clot in the atrium which could dislodge and cause a stroke. For that reason I was told that when I went in to AFib I had a 48 hour window to get cardioverted or else would need to be placed on anticoagulants. From this video am I to glean that I could wait much longer to be cardioverted without increasing any stroke risk? BTW did you take the ALS course at York in November 2000? You look familiar.
Sounds like what you're saying is that Afib is but a symptom, not a disease process. While its occurence may put you in a higher stroke risk category, Afib does not itself cause strokes.
The theory as to my understanding is that the mechanics of blood flow in AFib is altered so that a clot more easily forms in the left atrium, esp the appendage. Is that wrong? Are there studies that show the correlation between ongoing AFib and clot formation - thru e g Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)?
Thank you, you are just incredible! Thank you especially for all your research and your wonderful way of communicating it. You give us so much peace! If only there were more doctors like you! Blessings on your life - professional and private!
