Call 911
Manage AFib. Reduce your stroke risk.
Understand your rhythm, take your medications, and stay protected. AFib is one of the most manageable heart conditions when you have the right plan — most people live full lives with it.
What do you need right now?
Your anticoagulant is your stroke protection
Whether it’s Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa, Savaysa, or warfarin — taking it every single day, on schedule, is what actually lowers your stroke risk. Missing doses matters more than almost anything else in AFib care.
Is it time to check in about your AFib?
4 quick questions. Nothing here is saved or stored — this stays in your browser.
1. In the past week, has your heart felt like it’s racing, fluttering, or skipping beats?
2. Have you had new or worse shortness of breath or fatigue?
3. Have you missed a dose of your heart medication more than once in the last month?
4. Are you unsure whether your current blood thinner, if you take one, is still the right fit?
This is a general check-in, not a personal determination or diagnosis. Your cardiologist decides what’s right for you. If you have sudden chest pain, one-sided weakness, or trouble speaking, call 911 — those can be signs of a stroke.
Treatment options
For context, not a recommendation — your cardiologist will help choose what fits your situation.
| Treatment type | What it does | When it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulants — DOACs (Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa, Savaysa) | Prevent blood clots that cause stroke | Most patients with AFib who need stroke prevention; no blood test monitoring needed |
| Anticoagulant — Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) | Prevent blood clots that cause stroke | Long-established option; requires regular INR blood tests; affordable as generic |
| Beta blockers | Slow heart rate (rate control) | Most AFib patients to control heart rate |
| Calcium channel blockers | Slow heart rate (rate control) | Alternative to beta blockers for rate control |
| Antiarrhythmics | Restore and maintain normal rhythm | Selected patients; some as a “pill in pocket” approach |
| Cardioversion | Restore normal rhythm | Selected patients; often combined with anticoagulation |
| Catheter ablation | Treat the source of the rhythm problem | Selected patients who haven’t responded to medications |
| Watchman (left atrial appendage closure) | Mechanical alternative to lifelong anticoagulation | Patients with high bleeding risk who can’t take anticoagulants long-term |
The information here describes how a class of medications generally works and what to discuss with your provider or pharmacist. It is not a prescription, a recommendation of a specific drug or dose, or instructions to start, stop, or change any medication. Decisions about medications belong to you and your prescribing clinician.
Building your care team
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Search for a cardiologist, electrophysiologist, or anticoagulation clinic near you.