stroke

What are the risks of going off a blood thinner for 36 hours before getting a pacemaker?  Last time my Dad went off his blood thinner for another surgery he suffered a stroke.  He's worried this will happen before he gets the pacemaker.????????????????

[Jerry_NJ]

Given you father's history, I can understand his concern.  

Why is he on a blood thinner?  In my case I take warfarin to reduce the risk of stroke from clots formed by my atrial fibrillation condition.  I am in constant AFib, and consider going off of warfarin for a few days, e.g., for a colonoscopy examination, no problem.  But then I have never suffered from a stroke.  I think the risk should be low (what does that mean, not sure, but I'd guess under 1%).  Again, you say your father has already suffered one stroke.  That may make my guess way off the mark.