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TOP 5 STRATEGIES FOR GETTING AF BACK INTO SINUS RHYTHM

1) TREAT AF EARLY
Which means see your doctor as soon as you detect AF, this is important as “AF begets AF” – which means exactly what is says on the tin – the longer you have AF, the more difficult it is to get you out of it, whatever strategy is chosen? How long is long ? Well, most electrophysiologists feel that beyond 4 years of AF persistence is a threshold beyond which it would be difficult to restore normal (sinus) rhythm (
2) STAY HEALTHY
Live well – exercise and diet well. There is a large body of compelling data which now clearly show a link between sleep apnoea, obesity, the “metabolic syndrome” and AF. Staying healthy with lifestyle choices and losing weight is one of the most important ways to prevent and treat AF.
3) BE MINDFUL OF OBVIOUS TRIGGERS AND AVOID THEM
Some common triggers for AF are extreme stress, fatigue, strong caffeine or alcohol intake – if there are repeated triggers for AF which are avoidable, its important to recognise what these are and obviously take precautions to avoid these triggers.
4) TREAT MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHICH CAN CAUSE/PREDISPOSE TO AF
These include thyroid function abnormalities, electrolyte abnormalities, diabetes, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, recurrent infections (typically chest infections), especially in patients with existing lung conditions such as COPD and sleep apnoea.
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