question

[maddogbabe99]

is there any known cure for af?

[BobD Volunteer]

The short answer is NO but_____! Whilst cure is a very emotive word, not having symptoms can sometimes be termed a cure so a successful ablation resulting in no symptoms and a return to NSR long term could be called a cure. I am 6 + years post my third successful ablation and no longer have symptoms of AF but I do occasionally get different arrhythmias such as ectopics and occasional tachycardia. Drug therapy can alleviate many symptoms of AF but would not be termed a cure by any stretch of imagination. One major problem (well two actually) is that we all experience AF to different levels and in different ways. plus it is all very new science. It is less than twenty years since AF began to be considered anything more than a benign nuisance by most medics and only seven since the link with stroke was taken seriously so we are still very early in the dreaded learning curve. Great progress has been made but as yet there is no fool proof "cure".

Sorry!

Bob

[CDreamer]

Hi Maddogbabe and welcome, I saw you just joined.

I echo what Bob just said. Depends upon your definition of cure. If you mean can you obtain an absence of symptoms for a period of time, then yes. I like Bob am now symptom free (and take no drugs for AF). And there are people who do not respond to treatments and learn to live with constant AF but who continue to enjoy their lives.

We prefer to speak of treatments not cures.

There is a huge amount you can do to help yourself and the best advice I can give is firstly inform yourself, look at the AFA site and read all the stuff you can they produce. You will find the link at the top of the page just under the banner. Then think healthy - what can I do to improve my physical, mental and emotional being? Stress, processed food, inadequate sleep, over exercising, too much inactivity can all 'trigger' an episode. No one knows what causes AF although there are loads of theories around.

Apart from that ensure you have good doctors (GP & EP) who listen to you, explain your options to you, support you in your choices and have a good knowledge of AF. (unfortunately as many of us learn to our cost, many don't).

After that, any questions or if you just want a moan - we are here to help, inform and support so ask as many questions as you want.

very best wishes