My 90 year old mom with no history of aFib or stroke or heart disease went to the ER at midnight. On arrival HR was 65, EKG normal BP normal. She has dementia but this wasn’t documented by person who took her. So her speech was like it always is- repeating, pauses between thoughts,etc. she kept saying she was fine and wanted to go home bc she had trip planned to see her granddaughter get married- which she did and was always packed waiting to leave the next morning. She has anxiety and takes Xanax .025. The day after admission she went into aFib and was given Eloquis. And sent home with a prescription. Now she is extremely tired, no appetite and wants to sleep all day?
Any suggestions?
Upwards of 15% of our elders go into this arrhythmia at some point; it is quite common and I am certain you will have looked it up. Atrial fib, studies show, can make us more prone to stroke due to the erratic heart beats and vessel movement of the blood.
At 95 I would be on palliative care only and my advance directive has for many years reflected my knowledge that we all do die, that I am prepared to die and that I don't want any heroic measures. I would do now very minimal treatments for ANY condition I might face.
There are many types of anti coagulant. As I imagine you are now POA to make health care decisions it is up to you to choose which decisions you believe are best for your Mom with the guidance of her doctors. I surely do wish you the best going forward.
My personal experience...
Mom had hers associated with pneumonia. She was switched to baby aspirin.
My father had it and refused medication. He died or a massive stroke within 8 months of diagnosis. The first thing I noticed when he was in ICU was the A fib on the monitor
Hospital doctors do not communicate with the PCP or the patients specialists. I think a lot of mistakes are made because of this.
her pro BNp was 1350 snd he said that’s not a big deal bc she does have any other symptoms- but her chart says bilateral pleural effusions and she is short of Breath and SaO2 is between 90/94