A Fib and Blood clot

[kac025]

My dad, age 69, was just diagnosed with A-fib on Sunday.  They were unable to perform electrical cardioversion, as they found a blood clot in his heart. He' s home from the hospital (as of yesterday) and has been on Pradaxa, but he feels like the A fib symptoms are improving, is this a good thing?  We're worried about a stroke obviously.

Thanks,
Kelly

[kac025]

Thanks!  They're not treating his A Fib until the clot in his heart dissolves (they don't want the clot to be pumped out and cause a stroke).  We're in a holding pattern for 6 to 8 weeks.

It's good to hear that it gets easier to deal with!

Thanks again.

[DeltaDawn23]

The Pradaxa should prevent any strokes.  They put me on Lovenox (Heparin) shots until coumadin made my blood thin enough after my electro conversion.  Sometimes AFib converts on it's own.  Is he on meds for the Afib? Something to try to control the rhythm?

It sounds like they are doing the right things and that he is doing better.  Hang in there.  This Afib stuff is scary at first, but it gets easier to deal with.

Keep you all in my thoughts . . .

[kbug1013]

I would say that he is having improvement. I know that if they had given my mother in law a blood thinner when she was having Afib she would have done much better. Her blood clot was in her heart as well. I think that this is a good thing, It is however a fairly new medication for the group. Just give it time and think possitive.....