If you’re over 40 and your heart flutters, there’s a good chance you’re one of the millions who suffer from atrial fibrillation (AF). This condition, which can cause the upper chambers of the heart to race for minutes, hours or days, is the product of a malfunction in the heart’s electrical system.
Now, there’s good news that taking control of certain risk factors for heart disease may prevent AF or lessen its impact.
Why you should care
AF greatly raises the likelihood you’ll have a stroke and doubles the chance of dementia. It also increases the risk of suffering a heart attack or developing heart failure. And a pounding heart can be terrifying. Add these factors together, and preventing AF sounds like a good idea, indeed.
The power of weight loss
Obesity is major risk factor for AF. A new study found that AF often disappears in obese patients who lose weight. The more extra pounds they lose, the more likely their AF will resolve.
Change your life, protect your heart
High blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure and sleep apnea are other risk factors for AF. Recent studies have shown that aggressive, medically monitored lifestyle changes that significantly lower weight and blood pressure and improve blood sugar control can reduce the risk of developing AF. That’s better than trying to treat AF, say Cleveland Clinic researchers.
“The fact that current AF therapies are only partially effective makes the case for prevention particularly compelling,” says David Van Wagoner, PhD.
Be still, my heart
People who have AF and make the recommended lifestyle changes may stop the frightening episodes from occurring or, at minimum, reduce their frequency and duration.
Aggressive lifestyle changes may also improve the likelihood that AF will disappear after treatment of AF with ablation or surgery.
“Lifestyle changes just may have a more significant effect than any antiarrhythmic medication,” says Dr. Van Wagoner.
Although larger studies are underway to confirm this potentially life-changing finding, the same lifestyle changes designed to prevent AF have also been shown to improve overall health and sense of wellbeing.
That’s reason enough to make your heart flutter with joy!
Written by
EngMac
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Oh great thanks for that. I was I diagnosed with Lone AF 3 years ago but after presenting myself to hospital a few times I got different diagonosis each time, including SVT and atrial flutter. I eventually saw an EP who confirmed I was getting all three. When I went in for my study he a treated my SVT and Flutter with Radio Freqency Ablation and was pretty sure my SVT was driving / causing my AF. That was nearly a year ago. I have only had three or four episodes (way way less severe that I used to get) since I was treated.
The reason I am writing this is that I never tolerated my symptoms well. In fact I was scared stiff every time I had an episode.
Between episodes I spent a lot of time suffering from anxiety wondering when and where it would strike again. Eventually depression set in and I was modifying my behaviour to avoid going out or driving! It was not a great time in my life. During this period I found this forum both helpful and worrying at times.
I'm sure people reading this (more at risk of dementure and heart attack) will be pretty scared. I've not seen this before. The risk of stroke in untreated AF yes but not those. Admin can we validate stuff on here before it gets posted as I am sure I'm not the only one who gets worried by some of the posts on here.
Gonzo, one point to remember is that we have all been where you have to some extent. It is seven years since I "lost" my AF but I still worry about it finding me again one day.
Apart from stroke risk there is some evidence that untreated AF can contribute to increased chance of dementia. This is thought to be a result of numerous mini strokes which may go un-noticed which is another good reason to be anticoagulated from the start rather than waiting for the magic birthday.
I'm not so sure about increased risks of "heart attack" but for sure, life style changes will affect this risk. I think this is a catch all phrase really as what we do know is that prolonged untreated AF can increase the risk of cardiomyopathy " enlarged heart" leading to gradual heart failure although this can be reversed in many case with treatment for the underlying AF.
The problem here is that the forum although initiated by AF-Association in UK is world wide and many articles are flagged up from USA and other countries which may not be validated by European cardiologists although it would be a brave man who discounted them.
AF is scary and for ten years I have been banging on about the need for psychological support for patients as I know how it can affect us all. Arrhythmia Specialist Nurses do a fantastic job once you have access to one through your EP but not everybody gets that support and GPs seldom understand how we feel. We have come a long way since AF was first treated some twenty years ago but still much to do. In the meantime we all need to be proactive in our treatment and many find help from CBT or hypnosis in dealing with their fears and anxieties.
In answer to your last point this is an un-moderated forum where posts are not inspected by any body first although there are a few of us who will arrange for anything trollish or inflamatory to be removed should it creep in.
Be well
Bob
Encouraging thanks. I would go even further and say to break the link change as many habits of a lifetime you can!
Thanks for the post Engmac, interesting. Me and my wife made huge lifestyle changes. Hasn't sopped the arrhythmia but it's a lot better than it would have been I'm absolutely certain . Not surprised about the dementia as TIA's and mini-strokes etc, which we all know about, must be a contributing factor.
Yes, AF is a really health promoting thing to have! But there are some who can't make significant lifestyle changes because they already toe all the lines and aren't fitness fanatics.
So many of these articles are at what I would call the strategic level. I might even scream if I hear/read the phrase lifestyle changes again! As Rellim says, some people already toe all the lines. There's very little to guide the individual. But maybe the follow-on is to sell us vitamins, supplements, exercise classes, therapies and anything else that isn't provided either by the NHS or private insurance. Big business isn't confined to the drug companies - there's a whole health industry.
I saw my old doctor in my late 20's about the strange heart rate and wobbles. I was told do not worry about it. I was admitted into hospital with severe pneumonia in my mid 30's they picked up the AF and were shocked when I told them what my doctor had told me. I was before this a very fit person in a physical job and a karate instructor. After 9 cardio versions and 3 ablations I still get AF and tachycardia. But to be fair I do now have a multitude of conditions with my heart and lungs that do not help the situation.
What I can say is that the drugs and treatment are working at a far higher percentage than when I was first diagnosed Ablations were having an 85% failure rate. nearly 30 years ago.
I don't wish to be a party pooper about this but the operative words in all the explanation refers to 'certain risk factors' and the caveat 'may' being used extensively.
It is correct to say that life style changes lessen risk factors , Hypertension, cholesterol etc that are aided by weight loss 'may' lessen AF. However it follows that it also 'may not'.
It is good practice/ common sense to lose weight by diet and exercise for numerous reasons and as one becomes fitter a greater sense of well being may develop. The joy of being able to move lightly, have stamina takes years off you.
I see many people that are badly affected due to lifestyle choices that by the time they get to 55/60 its pay back time.
There is a common thread through this forum and supported by my EP that AF begets AF . My AF got worse over a period of 8 years before I was ablated. Even though I was strict with myself regarding diet, exercise, sleeping, drinking etc my AF never lessened.
There are many reasons why AF occurs and sometimes it occurs even when no associated conditions/ factors are present, as in my case.
Perhaps in hindsight I would have been able to deal with it better in the first 2 years of AF interludes if a cause could have been found.
There are no magic bullets for AF. However the bullets are getting better.
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
. Not surprised about the dementia as TIA's and mini-strokes etc, which we all know about, must be a contributing factor. 
Best Sleeping Position for AFib
Feel a Little Disheartened
