Do I still need to take anticoagulants after surgery? Dr. Huimin Chu: All patients routinely need anticoagulants for 2-3 months after surgery. After this time, the need for long-term oral anticoagulation is determined by the patient’s overall stroke risk score. How soon after surgery do I need to be reviewed? Dr. Huimin Chu: Patients need to be monitored while taking anticoagulants after surgery. Patients taking new oral anticoagulants generally do not need to be monitored; however, if they are taking warfarin, they need to be monitored from one week to half a month after they start taking the medication. The echocardiogram and ambulatory electrocardiogram need to be reviewed about three months after the surgery; then again in six months; and annually thereafter, usually once every three to six months. Finally, can you summarize what should be paid attention to in daily life for patients with atrial fibrillation combined with heart failure? Dr. Huimin Chu: First, the most important thing for patients with atrial fibrillation combined with heart failure is anticoagulation therapy. The risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation is five to eight times higher than normal, especially after the combination of heart failure is more likely to have a stroke, so anticoagulation therapy is very important. Second, patients should maintain good habits and mentality. Patients must take medication correctly according to the doctor’s requirements, including the way to take various drugs, the time to take medication, etc., and prohibit smoking and alcohol. Fourth, at the same time, attention should also be paid to the treatment of other diseases. After surgery, do patients need to moderate their diet and exercise? Dr. Chu Huimin: Patients with atrial fibrillation combined with heart failure should not do strenuous exercise if the heart failure is not fully controlled. Diet must be low-salt diet to reduce the salt intake to reduce the burden on the heart and kidneys. In addition, I recommend that patients with arrhythmias try not to drink alcohol, it is best to abstain from alcohol, because alcohol can easily lead to arrhythmias. This article is an original work and may not be reproduced without authorization.