Guideline: Irregular Heartbeats Should be Treated with Blood Thinners

An updated guideline from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) recommends that individuals with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) take anticoagulants (a type of blood thinning pill) to prevent stroke. The World Stroke Organization has endorsed the update, citing that atrial fibrillation is nearing epidemic proportions, with 0.5 percent of the population affected worldwide. Research shows that about one in 20 people with untreated atrial fibrillation will likely have a stroke in the next year. Several new anticoagulant pills have been developed since the AAN’s last guideline, published in 1998, and have been determined to be as effective, if not more effective, than the established treatments. However, doctors will need to consider the individual patient’s situation when making the decision to use anticoagulants, as the risks and benefits can vary for each person. To read more about this study, click here.