Does AFib ever cure itself?

[Jmbrph]

I haven’t had an episode in 5 months. For a year previously I had 3-4 a month. How likely is it that I’ll never have another.

(I had an ablation for flutter 18 months ago but then it turned into AFib )

[Hidden]

Anything is possible but unfortunately, it’s not normally what happens. However, if you have you made some dramatic lifestyle changes these can significantly reduce AF burden so if you are avoiding any triggers then that could account for the improvement.

Long may it continue, fingers are crossed 🤞

[BobD Volunteer]

Whilst it would be lovely to think it won't happen, unless you have drastically altered your life style that is unlikely. If you have then well done but don't be complacent or let standards slip.

[etheral]

The important take is to remain on anticoagulants to prevent stroke. Never heard of spontaneous cure but anything is possible.

[jeanjeannie50]

Theres someone who writes quite a detailed report on this forum who says he has cured himself by diet, including cutting out sugar and I think it's taking a specific amount of vitamin C. I keep thinking I've bookmarked the link, but can never find again. Will have another look later.

Jean

[sleeksheep in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Steven Carr

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to sleeksheep]

That's it Sleeksheep, thank you.

[Jalia]

Who knows? Never get complacent ! I went 15 months after my first ablation 12 years ago before AF returned . This in spite of losing excess weight and feeling really healthy.

[Ppiman]

The ablation seems to have been the cause in some way or other, so perhaps the full healing of that has performed this magic? Fingers crossed!

Steve

[Singwell]

Whatever you're doing to feel this well, keep doing it! There are a few reports of healing though I'm only aware if one in the forum. Dr Rupy Aujla of The Doctors Kitchen podcast had AF as a newly qualified doctor and cured himself by change of diet and lifestyle. Check him out! He reports this in many of his diet books and in one of his earliest podcasts.

[Shcldavies]

Probably you will continue to be susceptible , though with good diet and lifestyle you may not experience it again. The problem is not knowing what caused it in the first place or what will start it. Good chance that poor electrolyte balance caused it in the first place and things like too much sugar, stress, caffeine, drink, not enough sleep, will make you more susceptible to it again. My advise - eat bananas and avocado and drink plenty of water (not too much as it will put a strain on your heart and make things worst, about 1.5 to 2 ltrs a day depending on your size). Leave between 12 to 16 hours between your last meal at night and first in the morning. When you feel tense have an Epsom Salts bath (use twice the quantity). Taking PPIs can be detrimental to maintaining electrolyte balance so try and cut down or stop if you can.

[RajaRua in reply to Shcldavies]

What are PPIs please?

[Jmbrph in reply to RajaRua]

Proton Pump Inhibitors like Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium…

[RajaRua in reply to Jmbrph]

Thanks you Jmbrph!

[Hidden]

AF cannot be cured, but in some cases it can be put into remission. The longest interval between episodes I’ve had since diagnosis is six months (last year) but after that the episodes returned to their usual frequency of roughly every two months. I’m trying to reduce their frequency again by strict diet, exercise etc. but there is absolutely no guarantee of success. And even if there is short-term reduction in frequency it may not last given that AF is generally progressive.

[Bambi65 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry, but that is NOT true. Many people have been CURED of afib. Please do your research before making such a blanket statement . There is also a well documented "cure" for Afib through surgery in the States (well over 2,500 cases in 17 yrs.), China, and Japan.

[Hidden in reply to Bambi65]

The medical view, both in the US and Europe, is that AF cannot be cured. For example, WebMD notes that “The condition [AF] can boost your chances for a stroke, heart failure, or other heart problems. Right now, there’s no cure for it. But certain treatments can make symptoms go away for a long time for some people.” See: webmd.com/heart-disease/atr...

Note that alleviation of symptoms or long-term remission are not the same as a cure; there is a tendency in some literature to conflate these things. A cure in the sense that I am using it means the complete elimination of a disease, and not just the suppression of its symptoms.

[Bambi65 in reply to Hidden]

I am referring to eliminating the cause, thereby CURING AFIB. It is and has been done for over 17 years, in the medical community.

[Hidden in reply to Bambi65]

The exact mechanisms which contribute to AF (its causes) are not completely known, but it has strong association with at least a dozen other conditions including high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. These are not eliminated by an ablation or Maze procedure and AF can always recur. Also, it’s likely that an elevated stroke risk will remain even after either of these procedures. But if you just mean that there is a significant probability that a procedure will get rid of symptoms, then I agree.

[Bambi65 in reply to Hidden]

My definition of a cure for Afib; The appendage is removed,( the area where the stroke associated with afib is no longer there) No anticoagulants, no rate and No rhythm medications are not used and there is no AFIB in over 17 years all due to having one simple procedure. So let me ask you this...what do you call never, ever again have, not even one episode of afib for the rest of your life (veryified by an internal link, no meds at allm WHAT would you call it????

[Hidden in reply to Bambi65]

“So let me ask you this...what do you call never, ever again have, not even one episode of afib for the rest of your life (veryified by an internal link, no meds at allm WHAT would you call it????”

I would call it long term remission and it would be a very desirable outcome indeed. However, such an outcome cannot be guaranteed before a procedure is undertaken and there is always the potential for the condition to return. That said, I should say that the minimaze procedure-which I take it you are referring to- is a very good one and achieves success in many cases. And as I said before, the term “cure” can be used in different ways and I am simply employing a stricter definition of the term.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Hidden]

Also that procedure she's talking about, it's not done outside of America is it? Even outside of one surgeon? So it's not a cure of most of us. Just a possible cure for a select few. Hard to get too excited about that.

[Hidden in reply to FancyPants54]

Minimaze is also available in Europe including in the U.K. there are many different variants of the procedure so it may be that some are specific to specific countries/areas.

[CDreamer in reply to FancyPants54]

It’s also nothing to do with AF symptom control - it’s an alternative to taking anticoagulants for those at higher stroke risk from AF who have a medical reason for being unable to take them, in UK anyway.

There is debate as to the purpose of the Atrial appendage, certainly not a procedure I would consider.

[Bambi65]

Jmbrph you can be one of many that are free from Afib. Anything is very possible, and likely. My husband has also, spontaneously, just stopped having Afib some 12+ years ago, without any meds. He was cardioverted after having 3-4 Afib incidents, and has never had another one. Keeping a positive outlook is very important. What you think, you bring to life, so think and believe its done. Im extremely happy for you. You are the hope for many of us here.

[TMeditation]

My AF appeared as a result of my AVR - I went into AF as soon as the surgeon touched my heart and stayed in it for 2 months. Then it returned 6 months later and stayed for 3 months immediately after my flu vaccination. But for the last 16 months I’ve been clear - and had my required Covid vaccs. I’m enjoying it not being around but, like most people on this website I expect, I won’t ever assume it’s never going to return! But then the heart always keeps us guessing 😄. 🙏

[Griffin9]

I used to have afib every 4 weeks, regular as clockwork, then a couple of years ago I didn't have a single sympton for 3 months. I thought that it might have gone away, but Christmas eve, it kicked off at the usual time when I was in bed. It was such a disappointment to experience again.

[beach_bum]

Well, IMHO, and my DR's opinion, PAF and permanent AFIB are 2 different animals.I have PAF, and only had 1 bad episode, the first, and others here, chuckle in bemusement at my little 7 hour visit at the local ER. Most have faired much worse, and live with it every day.

All one can do, is live the healthiest lifestyle you are capable of. Everyone knows what is within their control. Weight loss, diet, exercise. Consult dieticians, and start walking, slow and easy. There are so many resources on the web for those who don't trust Dr's or dieticians. Stick to the standards. Heart associations...UK, Canada, USA, etc. Mayo clinic, John Hopkins, and many others have good resources for diet, weight control, diabetes, safe exercise etc.

Once you have reached your personal "baseline" healthy weight, proper diet, daily exercise...THEN start monitoring your AFIB episodes..frequency and severity. Otherwise you are just guessing and playing "whack-a-mole" with treatments, meds, and fad diets. I realize it's not always that simple, and one-size-fits-all solutions, don't fit for everyone with AFIB.

Just my opinion.

[Bambi65 in reply to beach_bum]

well said

[Gladstone001]

Hi,I had chronic PAF for many years (and had many ablations). However, I have now been free of all events for a year. Please do read my story. I focused on supplements.....

healthunlocked.com/afassoci...............

Regards,

Gladstone001

[Roger555]

I had 5 16hr episodes over 12 weeks even after I went on beta blockers after the first

Changed to minimum dose digoxin 16 months ago and have been asymptomatic ever since

My doctor tells me the digoxin concentration in my blood is "sub clinical" in any case

I exercise,don't smoke and don't drink much but that's about it

I sense that vigorous daily aerobic exercise keeps it at bay but who knows

Cardiologist says he has no idea either but may as well leave well enough alone

AF is a strange beast and seems different for everyone.

[Snookersteve]

You could try reading the book The Afib Cure by John D. Day and T. Jared Bunch. I've got the Kindle version and the hard copy and am going to try to follow as many of the recommendations as possible. The authors are two very experienced Electrophysiologists from the US. Many people have put their Afib into remission by following the lifestyle changes and other advice in this book. Of course there are no guarantees but it is worthwhile giving your heart the best chance for fighting this condition. Apart from that if you follow the guidance in the book you are bound to feel much better from a general health standpoint. Steve