Fish oil capsules failed to prevent flare-ups of atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm problem, in a large study in 2010.

NPR: Study: Fish Oil Doesn't Help Prevent Heart Attacks

The results of the current trial, presented by Halperin at the annual scientific sessions of the American Heart Association, focused on patients with atrial fibrillation, a condition that increases the risk of stroke fivefold and afflicts 2 million Americans.

FORBES: Replacing Coumadin

Xarelto is already FDA-approved to reduce the risk of DVTs and PEs from occurring after knee or hip replacement surgery (July 2011), and to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have a type of abnormal heart rhythm called non-valvular atrial fibrillation (November 2011).

FORBES: Rivaroxaban Gains FDA Indications For The Treatment And Prevention Of DVT And PE

Eliquis was the first anti-coagulant to prove that it reduced the risk of death compared to warfarin, which has been the standard of care for preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder, for seven decades.

FORBES: The Best Big Drug Company Of 2011

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the anti-clotting drug Xarelto rivaroxaban to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have abnormal heart rhythm non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

FORBES: FDA Approves Xarelto

Atrial fibrillation occurs in more than 2 million Americans and is one of the most common types of abnormal heart rhythm.

FORBES: FDA Approves Xarelto

Aspirin can also be used as a long term treatment for those with a history of heart attack and stroke, or who have peripheral arterial disease, stable angina or atrial fibrillation - an irregular heart rhythm.

BBC: Aspirin