A new study published in the medical journal JAMA has raised some concerns for people with atrial fibrillation, a condition where the heart beats irregularly.
The study suggests that certain blood pressure medications could increase the risk of serious bleeding in these patients.
Atrial fibrillation, often called AFib, increases the risk of blood clots and strokes. To lower this risk, doctors usually prescribe blood-thinning medications, called anticoagulants, and drugs that help control the heart rate.
But when multiple medications are used together, they can interact in ways that cause side effects. Some people’s bodies also process medications differently, depending on their genetics. This can change how well a drug works or how likely it is to cause problems.
The study, led by Dr. Eli Zimmerman, looked at older adults who were on Medicare. All the patients were 65 or older and were being treated for atrial fibrillation between 2012 and 2020. They were taking anticoagulants like apixaban or rivaroxaban to prevent clots. At the same time, they were also taking diltiazem or metoprolol to control their heart rate.
The researchers found that people who took diltiazem were 20% more likely to be hospitalized or die due to bleeding problems than those who took metoprolol. The bleeding may have been caused by how diltiazem affects the way blood thinners work in the body. It might increase the blood-thinning effect too much, making it easier to bleed.
However, the study didn’t find any big differences in the number of strokes or blood clots between the two groups. This means that while diltiazem may be slightly better at slowing the heart rate, it also comes with a higher risk of bleeding—especially for older adults, who are more fragile and more likely to be on several medications.
Dr. Zimmerman and his team want to find out why some people have more side effects than others. One idea is to monitor drug levels in a patient’s blood. This could help doctors adjust the dosage or choose a different medication based on how each person’s body reacts. Personalized care like this could make treatments safer and more effective.
Aside from medication, people with high blood pressure should also pay attention to their lifestyle. Drinking too much coffee can raise blood pressure, especially if you already have hypertension.
On the other hand, healthy habits like eating plant-based meals and following time-restricted eating—such as eating only during certain hours of the day—can help lower blood pressure.
This study shows how important it is to find the right balance when treating atrial fibrillation. Medicines can help protect against stroke and control the heartbeat, but they can also cause problems if not used carefully. Understanding how different people respond to medications can help doctors provide better, safer care.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
