Diabetes drug and healthy habits tested to stop irregular heartbeat
NCT ID NCT03603912
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether the diabetes drug metformin, combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, can reduce episodes of atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) in people with pacemakers or defibrillators. About 175 participants will take metformin or a placebo and receive lifestyle counseling for two years. The goal is to see if these approaches can lower the amount of time spent in atrial fibrillation and improve overall heart health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Metformin (extended-release) and lifestyle/risk factor modification (diet, exercise, sleep apnea screening, and management of blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart failure)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to reduce atrial fibrillation episodes and improve heart health without invasive procedures.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, early-phase 4 trial (175 participants) with an open-label design, so results may not apply broadly. Metformin can cause gastrointestinal side effects, and lifestyle changes require long-term commitment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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