Common Blood Pressure Medication Increases Bleeding Risk for Atrial Fibrillation Patients

A new study published in JAMA reveals that individuals with irregular heart rhythms who take a common blood pressure drug may be at a higher risk of severe bleeding. Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent irregular heart rhythm. It increases the risk of blood clots or stroke. According to American Heart Association, it needs more attention and proper treatment.  

Healthcare professionals usually prescribe some anti-clotting and heart rate control medications to prevent further complications, according to Eli Zimmerman, MD, associate professor in the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology’s Division of Stroke and Vascular Neurology. 

Genetic differences can affect the metabolism of medications. It usually happens when multiple medications are used for the same condition. This is particularly relevant when multiple medications are used for the same condition, as research has shown that these differences can cause negative effects. 

In this study, researchers used health records from medical beneficiaries. They involved people aged 65 or older with atrial fibrillation. These people started taking some anticoagulant medications such as apixaban or rivaroxaban in addition to diltiazem or metoprolol between 2012 and 2020. These medications lower heart rate.  

When researchers observed the collected data, they found that people who took diltiazem were 20% more likely to experience bleeding-related death and hospitalization. They found that people who took higher doses were at a higher risk. But there were no major changes were found in the rates of stroke, hemorrhaging and systemic embolism.  

This study shows that diltiazem drug offers more benefits as compared to metoprolol. But taking diltiazem drug increases the risk of bleeding as it changes metabolism. Hence, people who take diltiazem drug are at a higher risk of bleeding.  

This study clearly shows that diltiazem drug increases the risk of bleeding for those with irregular heart rhythms. So, healthcare professionals should understand how this drug affects a person’s metabolism. They should make some effective strategies and find some new drugs that can reduce this risk.  

Reference Link:  

Wayne A. Ray et al, Serious Bleeding in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Using Diltiazem With Apixaban or Rivaroxaban, JAMA (2024).  

DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.3867