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Written question asked by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour) on Friday, 19 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. It was answered by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Atrial Fibrillation: Drugs

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of the number of patients with atrial fibrillation who are unable to take long-term anticoagulation for the prevention of strokes in (a) Slough and (b) the South East.

Answer

No estimate has been made regarding the number of patients with atrial fibrillation who are unable to take long-term anticoagulation for the prevention of strokes in Slough and the South East as this information is not collected. However, clinical consensus suggests that less than 10% of patients with atrial fibrillation have clear contraindications to the use of long-term anticoagulation.

This Government recognises the importance of optimising atrial fibrillation treatment, which can reduce the risk of stroke by up the 64%. The Department and NHS England continue to look to NICE for guidance on the role of long-term anticoagulation for the prevention of strokes, and the approach for those who are unable to take long-term anticoagulation.

Alongside this, the Department will publish the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework soon, to support greater consistency in the detection, assessment, management and treatment of cardiovascular disease across England.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
11437
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Drugs Strokes South East Atrial fibrillation
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk