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Heart Health

When and why you need drugs for atrial fibrillation

Medications are often part of the treatment plan for people with atrial fibrillation, a fast and irregular heartbeat.

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Many people with atrial fibrillation - a rapid, irregular heart rhythm - need medications to control symptoms and lower their risk of stroke. These include drugs that slow down the heart, help restore its rhythm, and prevent blood clots.

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About the Reviewer

photo of Sunil Kapur, MD

Sunil Kapur, MD, Contributor

Dr. Sunil Kapur is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and a staff cardiologist/cardiac electrophysiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) in Boston. He completed his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and his … See Full Bio
View all posts by Sunil Kapur, MD
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