FAQs A-Fib Drug Therapy: Blood Thinner

“Should everyone who has A-Fib be on a blood thinner or anticoagulant like Eliquis (apixaban) and Xarelto (rivaroxaban)?”
Not necessarily. The biggest danger of A-Fib is the increased risk of stroke, because your heart isn’t pumping out properly.
Blood thinners, or more correctly, today’s Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) are used to help protect you from stroke. Your doctor will evaluate your risk of an A-Fib related stroke. If you are young, athletic and in overall good health, your doctor may rate your risk of stroke as low and not put you on a blood thinner.
See, also, the FAQ question “Which is the better anticoagulant to prevent stroke?”
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Last updated: Tuesday, September 1, 2026





