Difference in Treat ment 82 vs. 52 Yr. Old

How would you treat an 82 year old male vs. a 52 year old male besides putting the older male on Coumadin instead of aspirin?

Is ok to exercise while in afib or would exercising (in this case tennis) make things worse. If you only have time to anwser one question, the top one is more important. Tnank you very much.

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear Rossi,

The use of coumadin or aspirin for the treatment  atrial fibrillation is to prevent stroke. If a person is under the age of 65 with a structurally normal heart,  no history of hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or heart failure they would be considered low risk for stroke and treatment with 325mg of aspirin would be reasonable. However all other patients should be treated with coumadin if bleeding risks are not a major concern. If a person is in atrial fibrillation, he/she should be on a medication such as a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker for rate control. If one is on an adequate medication regimen and followed closely by a doctor, exercise should be fine.

Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE