Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
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"Jill and I put you and your work in our prayers every night. What you do to help people through this [A-Fib] process is really incredible."
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“I really appreciate all the information on your website as it allows me to be a better informed patient and to know what questions to ask my EP.
Faye Spencer, Boise, ID, April 2017
“I think your site has helped a lot of patients.”Dr. Hugh G. Calkins, MD Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore, MD
Understanding the EKG Signal
An electrocardiogram, ECG (EKG), is a test used to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats, as well as the size and position of the chambers, the presence of any damage to the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the heart.
The ECG signal strip is a graphic tracing of the electrical activity of the heart. It measures the length of time it takes for the initial impulse to fire at the Sinus Node and then ends in the contracting of the Ventricles.
The first upward pulse of the EKG signal, the P wave, is formed when the atria (the two upper chambers of the heart) contract to pump blood into the ventricles. In A-Fib you will see many “fibrillation” beats instead of one P wave. A characteristic sign of A-Fib is the absence of a P wave in the EKG signal.
The next large upward spike segment, the QRS Complex, is formed when the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart) are contracting to pump out blood. The normal duration (interval) of the QRS complex is between 0.08 and 0.10 seconds.
The next section, the ST segment, measures the end of the contraction of the ventricles to the beginning of the rest period before the ventricles begin to contract for the next beat.
The next slight rising section, the T wave, measures the resting period of the ventricles.
These pulses are caused by the movement of positively and negatively charged ions (sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium) through proteins called ion channel receptors.
Video: Cardiac Conduction System and its Relationship with ECG.
Animation with narration about the heart’s conduction system. Schematic diagram and explanation of normal sinus rhythm for a human heart as seen on ECG (3:34) Go to video.
ECG (EKG) Strip: Atrial Fibrillation
In the case of Atrial Fibrillation, the consistent P waves are replaced by fibrillatory waves, which vary in amplitude, shape, and timing (compare the two illustrations below).
© 2012 A-Fib, Inc.
ECG recorder: special graph Paper
The output of an ECG recorder is a graph (or sometimes several graphs, representing each of the leads) with time represented on the x-axis and voltage represented on the y-axis. A dedicated ECG machine would usually print onto graph paper which has a background pattern of 1mm squares (often in red or green), with bold divisions every 5 mm in both vertical and horizontal directions.
Interpreting a ECG strip involves counting the squares of the tracing. For example, by counting the squares of a heart in Normal Sinus Rhythm, you can calculate the heart rate.
Video: Cardiac Conduction System and its Relationship with ECG
Animation with narration about the heart’s conduction system. Schematic diagram and explanation of normal sinus rhythm for a human heart as seen on ECG (3:34 min.) Click on image to go to the video page.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Thursday, September 10, 2026
National A-Fib Awareness Month—Video & Free Report For Families: Top 10 Q&A About Atrial Fibrillation
September is National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month. It’s dedicated to increasing public understanding of this common heart rhythm disorder.
A-Fib not only impacts the patient’s health and quality of life but also the lives (and often livelihood) of their loved ones and co-workers.
Have you thought about your family and what questions they may have about your Atrial Fibrillation? Here are two ideas for helping your loved ones understand your condition and how it makes you feel.
Free Report: Answers to the ‘Top 10 Questions Families Ask About Atrial Fibrillation’
When a patient is diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, family members often struggle to understand what their loved one is going through. A-Fib can be a life altering disease―yet people with A-Fib often don’t look sick.
Since 2002, we’ve fielded hundreds of questions from patients and answered the most common ones on our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pages.
We compiled the answers to the ten most often asked questions by families into a special Free Report: The Top 10 Questions Families Ask About Atrial Fibrillation.
Free Special Report from A-Fib.com
Download the 5-page .PDF Report : The Top 10 Questions Families Ask About A-Fib. Print, or keep a copy by saving the PDF to your hard drive.
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Video: Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
Watch a video together to help your family and friends understand your A-Fib and how it affects you. This entry-level video, covers what the common heart condition is, its symptoms, its complications, and how it can be diagnosed and managed.
Title: What is Atrial Fibrillation? Produced by HealthSketch. 5:13 min. Posted on YouTube on Jan 30, 2024.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:19 How the heart works
00:45 Atrial Fibrillation
01:35 Symptoms and Complications
02:35 Diagnosis
03:21 Treatment and management
Back to A-Fib Videos and Animations Library
Catheter Ablation Treatments for Atrial Fibrillation and How They Differ
Today catheter ablation is considered a first-line strategy choice in patients with Atrial Fibrillation and is vastly superior to using antiarrhythmic drugs first to treat Atrial Fibrillation symptoms.
A catheter ablation is performed by applying concentrated amounts of energy to small, targeted areas of heart tissues to destroy the tissue and create minute amounts of scar tissue known as a lesion. The lesion creates an barrier that stops the irregular electric signal, effectively stopping A-Fib from occurring.
Three types of catheter ablations are available: Radiofrequency Ablation, CryoAblation and Pulsed Field Ablation.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Illustration: Radiofrequency catheter delivering RF energy.
Early Radiofrequency (RF) Ablations date back to 1994. RF Ablation is a well-established minimally-invasive cardiac procedure with decades of use to treat A-Fib.
RF Ablation uses radiofrequency energy delivered through a catheter with an electrode. The catheter applies radiofrequency waves directly to the tissue, creating a burn that destroys cells through coagulative necrosis. The catheter is highly maneuverable, allowing for precise point-by-point ablation.
RF Ablation of the Pulmonary Veins: A thin catheter is guided into the heart, then a 3D map of the heart is created. To isolate the Pulmonary Veins, RF energy is used in a point-by-point approach to form a continuous scar line. The catheter must be precisely maneuvered to apply heat around each pulmonary vein, making it time-consuming but offering more control in complex cases.
RF Ablation provides flexibility to create customized lesions beyond the pulmonary veins. It allows for highly customized scar patterns—ideal for complex cases including Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.
Complications: severe risks are uncommon; they include Atrioesophageal Fistula and Phrenic Nerve injury.
CyroAblation
Illustration: CryoBalloon catheter at PV
CryoAblation was approved for A-Fib use in December 2010. Cryoablation is best suited for simpler A-Fib cases, as its balloon shape limits lesion flexibility. It works well for Pulmonary Vein isolation but is less adaptable for targeting other areas.
CryoAblation of the Pulmonary Veins: A tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated at the opening of the Pulmonary Veins. The balloon shapes to the tissue, creating a steady, uniform circular block in a single application. Cold coolant gas chills the balloon, freezing and disabling the surrounding tissue to form a continuous scar line.
With Cryoballoon catheters, EPs can temporarily cool tissue to check placement (with an option to reverse) before freezing it permanently. Unlike RF ablation “burns” that can crust, fall off and lead to a blood clot (that’s why blood thinners like heparin are used to avoid this), with CryoAblation tissue freezing this doesn’t happen. There is less risk of damaging other areas of the heart or esophagus. Generally, procedure times are shorter than RF ablations.
The main complication of CryoAblation is a temporary palsy of the phrenic nerve.
CyroAblation/RF Ablation Combined for Persistent A-Fib: Some centers first use Cryoballoon catheters to isolate the Pulmonary Veins with uniform, circular lesions, then use RF catheters (or non-balloon Cryo catheters) to make linear lesions to target other areas of the heart.
Pulsed Field Ablation
Illustration: PFA catheter from FARAPULSE™ in flower mode.
Pulsed Field Ablation is widely approved and used in Europe beginning in 2021. U.S. trials began in 2019 with FDA approval in 2024. There are five FDA-approved Pulsed Field Ablation systems (with differing catheter configurations).
What makes it different? Pulsed Field Ablation uses a fundamentally different process to ablate heart tissue. An instantaneous electrical field (irreversible electroporation) is applied and the cell dies (there is no charring or crust formation) and the cell remains intact. PFA makes a long-lasting lesion in a matter of seconds vs RF and Cryo (60 seconds–150 seconds per lesion).
Pulsed Field Ablation of Pulmonary Veins and Other Areas
A typical Pulsed Field Ablation, for example, using the FARAPULSE™ PFA System involves positioning the unique catheter with electrodes convertible from a “basket” configuration, then a “flower” configuration.
Each Pulmonary Vein opening receives paired energy deliveries, first with the “basket” configuration, then with the “flower” configuration. Then they are rotated, for a total of eight applications per vein to complete and ensure electric field penetration.
The same technique can be used in other areas of the heart, i.e., ablating the Posterior Wall of the Left Atrium. Or, in the right atrium, for example, making a Cavo-Tricuspid Isthmus line to ablate Flutter.
The PFA process is “tissue selective” meaning the signal doesn’t affect other surrounding non-heart tissue such as the esophagus or phrenic nerve making PFA much safer than other ablation energy sources.
Procedural times are usually 1–3 hours for PFA versus 3–5 hours for RF and Cryo Catheter Ablations.
For a full description of PFA, see Pulsed Field Ablation—Groundbreaking Innovation in Atrial Fibrillation!
Summary: Types of Catheter Ablation
Radiofrequency Ablation and CryoAblation each offer unique benefits and limitations when treating Atrial Fibrillation. These differences influence the choice of method based on patient needs and case complexity.
Both reliably achieve Pulmonary Vein isolation. Complications for both involve the non-selective nature of injury from thermal energies (RF and Cyro).
Pulsed Field Ablation introduces a fundamentally different approach based on irreversible electroporation enabling rapid lesion formation with relative protection of surrounding tissues. Contemporary randomized trials demonstrate results comparable to Radiofrequency and CryoAblation, along with effectiveness and a favorable safety profile.
As a relatively new procedure, Pulsed Field Ablation will continue to evolve alongside the established thermal techniques of Radiofrequency Ablation and CryoAblation.
Find the Best EP for Your Type of A-Fib & Treatment Goals
The success of your catheter ablation often depends on the skill, techniques, and experience of the electrophysiologist (EP.)
Don’t just go to an EP because they are near you. Go to the best you can find and reasonably afford to travel to.
To find the right doctor and electrophysiologist for you and your treatment goals, go to our page, Finding the Right Doctor for You and Your A-Fib.
Since catheter ablation has become a first-line strategy choice for Atrial Fibrillation, the number of heart centers in the U.S. performing catheter ablations for A-Fib has steadily grown (the number of international centers has increased as well.)
For help finding EPs treating Atrial Fibrillation patients, see Steve’s Directory of Doctors Treating A-Fib: Medical Centers and Practices.
For surgical options for treating Atrial Fibrillation, see The Cox-Maze & Mini-Maze Surgeries and the Hybrid Surgery/Ablation.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Which Comorbid Risks Do You Have That Make Your A-Fib More Severe? And What To Do
Most A-Fib patients have at least one concurrent medical condition, i.e., comorbidity, that makes Atrial Fibrillation symptoms more severe and makes treating A-Fib more difficult with increased risk of complications. They can also affect the longevity of a treatment such as a catheter ablation.
Concurrent Medical Conditions
Concurrent conditions, or comorbidities, are risk factors that can interfere with the biological mechanisms or processes (pathogenesis) of your A-Fib. The leading concurrent conditions affecting Atrial Fibrillation patients are:
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heat Failure
• Air pollution
• Respiratory Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Mental health disorders
Comorbidities and the Impact on Your Atrial Fibrillation
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): At least 43% of patients with Atrial Fibrillation also suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. …->Continue reading about each of the concurrent conditions on our list and the risks for Atrial Fibrillations and learn what to do…->Go to read my full article.
Which Lifestyle Choices Make Your A-Fib More Severe? What You Can Do
Most A-Fib patients have one or more lifestyle factor risk that makes A-Fib symptoms more severe and makes treating A-Fib more difficult with increased risk of complications.
Modifying lifestyle factors can have an enormous impact on the severity of your A-Fib symptoms, reduce the frequency of A-Fib episodes, or even eliminate it entirely.
Lifestyle factors can also affect the longevity of a treatment such as a catheter ablation. Lifestyle factors that can affect your A-Fib include:
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Drug Abuse
• Excess alcohol use
• Lack of exercise
• Poor nutrition
Changing Lifestyle Factors and the Impact on Your Atrial Fibrillation
Multiple research studies have shown that modifying these lifestyle factors risks can…
Continue reading->…to learn more and what you can do to modify your lifestyle factors to lessen your A-Fib symptoms and even reverse your Atrial Fibrillation.-> Go to my full article.
Three Atrial Fibrillation Videos from Alliance for Aging Research
The Alliance for Aging Research is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. For 40 years, the Alliance has worked to increase funding and focus for aging at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration.
Their Atrial Fibrillation educational page includes the following three informational patient videos. You can watch each video on their website, or use links to watch on YouTube.
VIDEO: Preventing Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Related Strokes
Running time: 6:03 min.
This video defines the causes and risks factors; Overworked ventricles can lead to clots and ischemic stroke; Stroke prevention can include blood thinner/anticoagulant medication, or closure of the heart’s left atrial appendage with an occlusion device. Learn the signs of stroke for quick treatment and better outcomes. Go to video on the Alliance website->
Posted by Alliance for Aging Research on April 19, 2022.
VIDEO: Living with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Running time: 6:32 min.
This video describes the heart in A-Fib, its types, symptoms and risks; Typical diagnostic tests; Treatments for stroke-avoidance, rate/rhythm control medications, and procedures including cardioversion and ablation; and Lifestyle risk factors. Go to video on the Alliance website->
Posted by Alliance for Aging Research on April 11, 2022.
VIDEO: Living with Arrhythmias: What to Know When Your Heart is Out of Rhythm
Running time: 5:23 min.
This video describes the heart’s various abnormal electrical rhythms causing it to beat too slow, too fast or in an irregular, uncoordinated manner; The four main groups of arrhythmias that can originate in the atria or ventricles, typical symptoms and causes, and diagnosis and treatments. Go to video on the Alliance website->
Post by Alliance for Aging Research on May 20, 2019.
For more videos on A-Fib.com, go to
Instructional A-Fib Videos and Animations
For the reader who learns visually through motion graphics, audio, and personal interviews, these videos are organized loosely into three levels: introductory/basic, intermediate and in-depth/advanced.
Which Comorbid Risks Are Making Your A-Fib More Severe? Do You Have Them Under Control?
Most A-Fib patients have at least one concurrent medical condition, i.e., comorbidity, that makes Atrial Fibrillation symptoms more severe and makes treating A-Fib more difficult with increased risk of complications. They can also affect the longevity of a treatment such as a catheter ablation.
Concurrent Medical Conditions
Concurrent conditions, or comorbidities, are risk factors that can interfere with the biological mechanisms or processes (pathogenesis) of your A-Fib. The leading concurrent conditions affecting Atrial Fibrillation patients are:
• Sleep Deprivation
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heat Failure
• Air pollution
• Respiratory Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Mental health disorders
Where to Start: When Was Your Last Physical Exam?
Check with your doctor or healthcare providers for the date of your last physical. If it’s been over a year, schedule an exam. You may find that you have undiagnosed conditions exacerbating your A-Fib.
Tip: You can request to have your blood draw/urine lab tests be done beforehand so you can discuss these findings during your physical exam along with the in-office testing.
At your exam, your blood pressure will be checked, an ECG of your heart taken, etc. revealing if there are undiagnosed problems. Blood draws and a urine sample will later reveal if you have hypertension, diabetes or kidney disfunction.
For obstructive sleep apnea, you may need to talk with your cardiologist/electrophysiologist to request testing.
Comorbidities and the Impact on Your Atrial Fibrillation
Sleep Deprivation: acute sleep deprivation increases your risk of A-Fib 3-fold; Most of us are now sleeping about 6.5 hours a night vs. in the 1960s we were sleeping 8.5 hours. To reduce the risk of A-Fib or lessen its symptoms, target rejuvenating, restorative sleep.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): At least 43% of patients with Atrial Fibrillation also suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea repeatedly stop and start breathing while they sleep. It occurs when the muscles supporting the soft tissues in the throat relax, the airway is narrowed, and breathing is momentarily cut off. Patients receiving CPAP therapy appear to have a lower risk of A-Fib recurrence after A-Fib ablation.
Obstructive sleep apnea can now be identified through an at-home sleep test (available by prescription). (Your cardiologist/electrophysiologist may need to order this test.) If diagnosed, more testing may be required to determine your treatment.
Diabetes Mellitus: Approximately 15% to 25% of patients with atrial fibrillation also have diabetes mellitus (a disease where the body cannot control blood sugar properly). It may predispose patients to structural, electric, and autonomic changes in the heart. Glycemic control has been associated with reduced risk of A-Fib. Blood sugar control may reduce episode frequency.
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the leading modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation affecting an estimated 70% of A-Fib patients. Managing blood pressure should include the contributing lifestyle factors of obesity, physical inactivity, and diet.
Heart Failure: A-Fib and Heart Failure share common risk factors and frequently coexist. They can cause or exacerbate each other. It’s estimated that about 34% to 40% of A-Fib patients have or wil develop Heart Failure.
Air Pollution: Four meta-analyses have demonstrated that increased short-term exposure to air pollution is associated with a higher risk of A-Fib.
Respiratory Disease: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is present in up to 23% of A-Fib patients, and COPD is associated with a 2-fold increase in A-Fib risk.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Approximately 30% of patients with Atrial Fibrillation also have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)—a condition where the kidneys are damaged and cannot filter blood well. CKD promotes A-Fib through chronic inflammation, volume overload, and electrolyte imbalances. Conversely, A-Fib reduces blood flow to the kidneys and increases the risk of ischemic stroke and heart failure.
Mental Health Disorders: Stress, psychological factors, and the state of one’s mental health can influence the occurrence, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes of A-Fib. The risk of A-Fib can be from alcohol or illicit substance misuse, lifestyle risks, or side effects of mental health medications.
What You Can Do to Lessen the Impact on Your A-Fib
It’s crucial to learn if you have any undiagnosed concurrent medical conditions and then get them under control. If needed, set up appointments to discuss any newly identified concurrent conditions. Your healthcare team can address each with appropriate medication, diet changes or other treatments, or referrals to specialists.
For your known comorbidities, review your current treatment plans for any adherence issues. Are you having difficulty with medication, following dietary plans or keeping appointments? Discuss with your doctors.
The Bottom Line on Comorbid Risks
Discovering unknown concurrent medical conditions and controlling known comorbidities can have a direct effect on your existing A-Fib symptoms, reduction in the frequency and intensity of episodes, maintenance of normal sinus rhythm and improved Quality of Life.
Take action to reduce the risk of these A-Fib-related complications, and improve your outlook for effective and long-term success of your A-Fib treatment plan.
Remember to Seek Your A-Fib cure. Don’t just aim to ‘manage’ your A-Fib with medications. It will all be worth it when you no longer suffer under the burden of Atrial Fibrillation.
Resources to Help You
Below are some resources to help you learn more about your Concurrent Medical conditions. (You can also open the drop-down ‘References’ tab below to see the many original research references used to write this article and read them yourself.)
Personal A-Fib Stories of Hope
Under our Personal A-Fib Stories of Hope, over 100 A-Fib patients have written about their journey to a life free from the burden of Atrial Fibrillation. You may find solace and encouragement and learn from their many ‘Lessons Learned’.
To help inspire you and help you find a story by subject matter, we cross-referenced stories by five major Themes/Topics. We encourage you to look for stories similar to your own. Go to Personal A-Fib Stories of Hope.
An Interview with Dr. John Mandrola: A-Fib Best Treated by Changes to Diet and Lifestyle, Says Dr. John Mandrola
Dr. John Mandrola, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist, Louisville, KY, on the impact of lifestyle factors on patients with atrial fibrillation, metabolic risk factors like obesity, poor diet, sleep apnea, alcohol intake, and lack of exercise;. Managing these risk factors can reduce the risk of stroke, and make a significant impact on the patient’s heart rhythm and overall health. (5:29) Click here to go to video.
Reminder: Schedule a Physical Exam. You may find you have undiagnosed conditions exacerbating your A-Fib.
Lifestyle Factor Risks That Make Your A-Fib More Severe: Which Ones Can You Modify?
Most A-Fib patients have one or more lifestyle factor risk that makes A-Fib symptoms more severe. This makes treating A-Fib more difficult with increased risk of complications. Lifestyle factors can also affect the longevity of a treatment such as a catheter ablation.
The lifestyle factors that can affect your A-Fib include:
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Drug Abuse
• Excess alcohol use
• Lack of exercise
• Poor nutrition
Where to Start: When Was Your Last Physical Exam?
Check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the date of your last physical. If it’s been over a year, schedule an exam.
The results of your exam may reveal you have undiagnosed conditions that could exacerbating your A-Fib.
Tip: You can request to have your blood draw/urine lab tests be done beforehand so you can discuss these findings during your physical exam along with the in-office testing.
Changing Lifestyle Factors and the Impact on Your Atrial Fibrillation
Multiple research studies have shown that modifying these lifestyle factors risks can:
• Lessen A-Fib symptoms and reduce the number of A-Fib episodes
• Slow A-Fib progression
• Reverse persistent A-Fib to paroxysmal A-Fib
• Eliminate A-Fib entirely
Obesity: Associated with the progression of A-Fib, obesity results in changes to the myocardium substrate of your heart. A-Fib patients who are overweight should target 10% weight loss to reduce A-Fib symptoms, burden, recurrence and progress to Persistent A-Fib. Recommended are progressive goals to achieve a target BMI of ≤25 kg/m2 and initial low intensity exercise for 20 minutes 3 times weekly, increasing to 150-200 min./wk. of moderate-intensity activity.
Weight fluctuation of >5% (unstable weight) was independently associated with A-Fib recurrence. Losing as little as 5-10 lbs. can lessen A-Fib symptoms and improve the long-term effectiveness of a catheter ablation.
Smoking: Tobacco use has been associated with increased A-Fib risk. A-Fib patients are advised to quit smoking to mitigate increased risk of A-Fib-related cardiovascular complications.
Drug Abuse: There’s an association between use of cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine or opiates with the increased incidence of A-Fib.
Excessive Alcohol: For some A-Fib patients alcohol is a known trigger (but not for everyone). Excessive alcohol may serve as a sustainer of A-Fib via atrial remodeling and autonomic effects. Binge drinking, i.e., “Holiday Heart”, is common around celebrations like Christmas, New Year’s Eve and the Super Bowl with a rush of emergency room visits with drinkers experiencing discrete or new-onset atrial fibrillation. Practicing moderation is always a good habit.
Exercise: The recommendation for A-Fib patients is at least 150 min/wk. of moderate-intensity or 75 min/wk. of vigorous-intensity physical activity. But, extreme levels of exercise may be associated with a higher risk of A-Fib. Since so many of us suffer from a sedentary lifestyle, the use of a pedometer or smartphone/watch which can provide activity feedback is an effective strategy to increase daily physical activity. Setting a step goal (e.g., 5000 steps per day initially and then working up to >10000 steps per day) can help to sustain effort over time. The benefit: reduction of A-Fib symptoms and burden, an increase in maintenance of normal sinus rhythm, and improved Quality of Life.
Nutrition: According to the Cleveland Clinic, there is no single specialized diet for Atrial Fibrillation. The Mediterranean and DASH diets have both been clinically studied and proven to support overall heart health, including the management of blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides and weight management.
A good place to start is cutting down on processed foods and sugary and artificially sweetened drinks and eating more “whole” foods, i.e., more vegetables and fruits.
You Can Change…
Modifying lifestyle factors can have an enormous impact on the severity of your A-Fib symptoms, reduce the frequency of A-Fib episodes, or even eliminate it entirely.
Existing evidence suggests that improvements in obesity, physical fitness, sleep apnea, Hypertension (Blood Pressure), and Diabetes, as well as modification of other risk factors such as alcohol consumption, may reduce A-Fib burden, often to a degree that exceeds that of catheter ablation and other invasive approaches.
…But Know You’re Not Alone
You are directly in control of these factors. But you aren’t alone! Solicit your family and loved ones to help you. Losing weight and stopping smoking are huge tasks that require support from those around you.
Improve your fitness by recruiting family and friends to workout together, and plan celebrations that don’t center around excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages.
These “Lifestyle” changes take effort but will be worth it when your A-Fib symptoms and frequency lessen (or disappear), your Quality of Life improves, and you have long-term success with your A-Fib treatment plan.
Remember to Seek Your A-Fib cure. Don’t just aim to ‘manage’ your A-Fib with medications. It will all be worth it when you no longer suffer under the burden of Atrial Fibrillation.
Resources to Help You
Below are some resources to help you learn more about Lifestyle Factors.
Personal A-Fib Stories of Hope
Under our Personal A-Fib Stories of Hope, over 100 A-Fib patients have written about their journey to a life free from the burden of Atrial Fibrillation. Among their lists of ‘Lessons Learned’, you’ll find many have made changes in lifestyle factors.
To help inspire you and help you find a story by subject matter, we cross-referenced stories by five major Themes/Topics. We encourage you to look for stories similar to your own. Go to Personal A-Fib Stories of Hope.
Recommended Reading
♥ Alcohol: Research into Alcohol & A-Fib: How Many Drinks are Too Many?
♥ Exercise: Moderate Exercise Impact on A-Fib Recurrence After Ablation
♥ Nutrition: FAQs Coping with A-Fib: Diet & Lifestyle
♥ FAQs Natural Therapies: Whole Food or Organic Diet?
♥ Personal A-Fib Story: Lifestyle Changes/Meds Restore Normal Sinus Rhythm
Video: A-Fib Best Treated by Changes to Diet and Lifestyle Says Dr. John Mandrola
Interview with Dr. John Mandrola, MD, cardiac electrophysiologist, Louisville, KY, on the impact of lifestyle factors on patients with atrial fibrillation, metabolic risk factors like obesity, poor diet, sleep apnea, alcohol intake, and lack of exercise; Managing these risk factors can make a significant impact on the patient’s heart rhythm. (5:29). Click to go to video.
Reminder: Schedule a Physical Exam. You may find you have undiagnosed conditions exacerbating your A-Fib.
Learn How A-Fib Robs You of Your Heart Health: Let Me Count the 11 Ways
I first published this in 2021, but we all (especially newer A-Fib readers) should be reminded of the cost of staying in Atrial Fibrillation (instead of seeking your cure). Remember: Aim for a cure, not a life on medication.
Atrial Fibrillation is a disease of the heart but affects your overall health as well. It is often said, “A-Fib begets A-Fib”. It’s a progressive disease and is self-perpetuating.
Here are the many ways A-Fib can rob you of your heart health:
1. Risk of stroke. The biggest danger from A-Fib is stroke. Because your heart isn’t pumping out properly, blood can pool in your atria then form clots that travel to the brain causing stroke. Use of anticoagulant drugs reduce, but don’t eliminate, the risk of an A-Fib stroke. Anticoagulants are high risk drugs. They don’t cure or improve your A-Fib.
2. Reduced Blood Circulation. A-Fib reduces your heart’s pumping ability by 15%–30%, decreasing blood flow to the brain and to the rest of the body. This may cause weakness, fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, fainting spells, swelling of the legs, and shortness of breath. Over time, reduced blood circulation contributes to many other health issues.
3. Fibrosis (Structural Remodeling). Over time A-Fib produces fiber-like scar tissue in place of the normal smooth walls of the heart. Fibrosis makes the heart stiff, less flexible and weak with a loss of atrial muscle mass. …Continue reading about the 11 Ways A-Fib Robs You of Your Health.
How A-Fib Robs You of Your Heart Health: Let Me Count the 11 Ways
A-Fib is like a thief in the night robbing you of your heart health.
I first published this as a post in 2021, but we all (especially newer A-Fib readers) should be reminded of the cost of staying in Atrial Fibrillation (instead of seeking your cure). Remember: Aim for a cure, not a life on medication.
Atrial Fibrillation is a disease of the heart but affects your overall health as well. It is often said, “A-Fib begets A-Fib”. It’s a progressive disease and is self-perpetuating.
Here are the many ways A-Fib can rob you of your heart health:
1. Risk of stroke. The biggest danger from A-Fib is stroke. Because your heart isn’t pumping out properly, blood can pool in your atria then form clots that travel to the brain causing stroke. Use of anticoagulant drugs reduce, but don’t eliminate, the risk of an A-Fib stroke. Anticoagulants are high risk drugs. They don’t cure or improve your A-Fib.
2. Reduced Blood Circulation. A-Fib reduces your heart’s pumping ability by 15%–30%, decreasing blood flow to the brain and to the rest of the body. This may cause weakness, fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, fainting spells, swelling of the legs, and shortness of breath. Over time, reduced blood circulation contributes to many other health issues.
3. Fibrosis (Structural Remodeling). Over time A-Fib produces fiber-like scar tissue in place of the normal smooth walls of the heart. Fibrosis makes the heart stiff, less flexible and weak with a loss of atrial muscle mass. It overworks the heart, reduces pumping efficiency, and leads to other heart problems. Fibrosis is considered permanent and irreversible.
4. Atrial stretch/expansion (Structural Remodeling). When in A-Fib, your left atrium has to work harder than normal. Over time, the left atrium tends to stretch or dilate thereby weakening the heart muscle. An enlarged left atrium can be diagnosed and measured using an echocardiogram (ECHO). (A normal size is 2.0-4.0 cm; over 5.5 cm is considered chronically enlarged.)
5. Electrical Remodeling. A-Fib causes electrophysiological changes in the heart which are self-perpetuating, make the heart more prone to go into and remain in A-Fib. This Remodeling develops quickly, is progressive, and may be persistent. For instance, an A-Fib episode once a month may escalate to once a week and might become longer than before.
6. Heart Failure. Researchers have found that A-Fib is strongly associated with heart failure which is five times more likely in people with A-Fib. When in A-Fib, your heart isn’t pumping properly. So it’s not surprising that A-Fib leads to heart disease, heart failure, and sudden death. A-Fib affects your whole body. It damages your heart, brain, and other organs.
7. Coexisting Conditions (Comorbidities). The symptoms of one illness can predispose a person to another. Most A-Fib patients have at least one comorbidity such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea. A somewhat surprising association with A-Fib is kidney disease and peripheral arterial disease.
8. Dementia. A-Fib has been independently associated with dementia. Leaving patients in A-Fib doubles the risk of developing dementia. Current drugs, even statins, don’t work or have mixed results in preventing dementia. Because your heart is being remodeled electrically, your A-Fib may eventually worsen to Long-standing Persistent A-Fib (which is harder to cure).
9. Brain Atrophy, Reduced Brain Volume and Cognitive Function. Research shows A-Fib patients experience loss of both grey and white brain matter, as well as white matter brain lesions. Cognitive function and processing speed decline significantly.
Mental skills and memory are also affected. Max Jussila, a Finnish executive, recalls his challenges. “I have never been mentally so incapable. My memory was gone, my speech was gone (I speak five languages), even the simplest work-related problems seemed impossible for me to handle, let alone solve.”
10. Reduced Quality of Life. For many patients, A-Fib disrupts both work and family life. They are often preoccupied about the next A-Fib attack. When will it hit? How bad will it be? Where will I be at the time? When you travel, you first research the location of the nearest emergency room.
A-Fib can have significant consequences on your social interactions with loved ones, friends and colleagues. The patient’s livelihood may be impacted. Family life may be unsettled. In one study the partners of A-Fib patients reported a significant reduction in their quality of life, to the same degree as the patient.
11. Psychological and Emotional Effects. A-Fib wreaks havoc with your head as well as your heart. Anxiety, fear, frustration, worry, confusion, depression and anger can be as debilitating as the disease itself. Psychological distress worsens A-Fib symptoms’ severity. Physical ailments like colds may be more frequent because of a depressed immune system.
How Much Will You Pay to Stay in A-Fib?
A-Fib costs you in many ways. Beyond the physical, mental and emotional toll, staying in A-Fib is costly to your wallet too. Besides the annual costs of your medications, ER visits, etc., the odds of your being hospitalized increases (each year 750,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. are due to A-Fib).
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just in terms of dollars and cents, A-Fib on average costs you an additional $8,700 a year.
When you add up all the costs (physical, emotional and monetary) of living in A-Fib, doesn’t it make sense to ‘Seek you Cure’?
Don’t Settle for a Lifetime on Meds―Seek your A-Fib Cure
Today’s TV advertisements for anticoagulants talk about “living with A-Fib”. They show patients living happy, healthy, care-free lives while still in A-Fib. That’s a Pollyanna fantasy―just take an A-Fib pill and live happily ever after.
Contrary to today’s media, your goal shouldn’t be to just ‘manage’ your A-Fib. For patients with A-Fib, it isn’t enough to simply take an anticoagulant.
Your goal should be to get your A-Fib fixed and have your heart beat again in normal sinus rhythm (NSR). Educate yourself. Learn all your treatment options.
