Solutions for AFIB

[DennisKB]

I was persistant AFIB for 2 years prior to have my first 2 cardiac ablations in 2009.  I went 2.5 years, started to having bouts of Afib, with multiple cardioversions in 2012, Had a 3rd ablation in the Fall of 2011 and went until Mid December 2013 and went into Afib again. I just had a 4th ablation the beginning of April 2014....
Are their recommendations for combating this problem?

I am loosing weight, through proper nutrition and exercise.  Will lowering my weight and blood pressure help?

[seaweib]

I have been told by an EP that a heart healthy lifestyle can help to cut down on the progression of Afib.  If you're already in persistent Afib though, as Jerry mentioned, a healthier may not specifically help the cause though a healthier lifesyle is never a bad thing.

I've always heard that ablation is the only true way to 'cure' Afib and it sounds like you've explored and are continuing to go down that path.  As far as preventing episodes though (if it's not persistent) a healthy lifestyle is beneficial.

Healthy eating and exercise will almost certainly cut down on the number of PACs and should lower blood pressure which may help prevent Afib episodes.  I've been told that 90% if Afib episodes start from a ill-timed PAC.

[DennisKB]

Thanks Jerry. Point taken...I have been a cyclist, (moderate) by most standards, swimmer most of my like, and business owner for 15 years.
No doubt there is a cumulative effect here.  When I was first diagnosed with Afib, I was cycling 3-5 days a week - 20-25miles a couple days during the week and 30-50 miles on the weekend. Great stress reliever.

I have been been running by Rep agency for 15 years....that, I m sure has had an affect...I would like to, at some point, control the a fib.  I currently feel great, the uncertainty is the tough part.

[Jerry_NJ]

The benefits of a heart (and everything else) healthy life style are widespread, but managing AFib is not one of them to my understanding and experience.

My AFib started at about age 55 when I was at a good body weight and was a run for exercise as well as lift weights.  I have never had an ablation, but I did undergo a mini-maze procedure when my heart was open to repair my mitral valve.  I stopped running at age 67 when I went in to full-time permanent AFib.   I remain in that state now 7 years later and use beta blockers to accomplish "rate control" (lower my HR to acceptable levels).... hope I have strayed too far afield, just trying to establish I have some experience with AFib and healthy life style.

I understand there is a collelation between extreme athletes and AFib, I was never what would be called extreme in my physical training and practice.  My point is while a healthy life style is good, there is such a thing as too much stress if extreme physical activity is maintained.