Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of serious heart arrhythmia. There are several treatments, including medications, surgery, and other procedures. Lifestyle changes may also help.

AFib is caused by abnormal electrical signals in your heart. These signals cause your atria, the upper chambers of your heart, to fibrillate or quiver. This fibrillation typically results in a fast, irregular heartbeat.

If you have AFib, you may never have symptoms. On the other hand, you may have serious health complications. For example, according to the American Heart Association, people with untreated AFib have five times the stroke risk of people without the condition. AFib can also worsen certain heart conditions, such as heart failure.

Read on to learn both about medical treatments and lifestyle changes that may also help.

Your doctor will put together a treatment plan to manage your AFib. Your treatment plan will likely address three goals:

  • prevent blood clots
  • restore your healthy heart rate
  • restore your healthy heart rhythm

To achieve these goals, your doctor may turn to medications or other procedures, including surgery.

The following medications may be used to treat AFib:

Your doctor will check your blood regularly to make sure the medications are working.

Learn more: Common medications for AFib.

Benefits and risks

The longer AFib goes without treatment, the more difficult it is to restore a healthy rhythm. That’s why it’s important to get the right treatment as soon as possible.

According to the American Heart Association, your doctor may use a tool called the CHA2DS2-VASc risk scale to help determine if you need medication. This scale looks at factors like heart failure, high blood pressure, age, diabetes, history of stroke, as well as gender and age.

Note, however, that different medications can have different side effects. For example, some drugs may increase irregular heart rhythms, while others may lead to headaches or swelling.

Blood thinners, in particular, increase the risk of bleeding. If you take warfarin, you will require frequent blood testing and will need to monitor your intake of foods rich in vitamin K, which can affect how the drug works.

Your doctor will help you determine what medication to take and how to manage any potential side effects. It’s important to let them know about any other medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.

Most people with AFib need to take some medication, but some people may require additional procedures as well.

Learn more:

If medications don’t work to restore your heart rhythm, other options are available. These include the following procedures:

Benefits and risks

Generally speaking, procedures to treat AFib require either sedation or anesthesia, which can have risks. Some procedures are also more invasive than others.

In addition, depending on the procedure, specific risks can range from mild pain, bleeding, and bruising to serious problems such as stroke, infection, or damage to blood vessels, the heart’s electrical system, the esophagus, or other surrounding tissue.

Typically, ablation is reserved for less serious cases because it’s lower risk compared to the other options and has a high success rate. If your AFib is more severe, your doctor may recommend a different choice.

That said, having a procedure can also provide significant relief and improve your health. For example, in 2018, a clinical trial found that ablation reduces the chance of hospitalization for further treatment and death from heart complications.

Your doctor can recommend the best procedure for you and help you weigh these risks against the potential for successful treatment.

Learn more: Surgery for AFIb: types, risks, and more.

Lifestyle changes are also important. Changes you can make that can help reduce your chance of developing complications from AFib include:

  • quitting smoking
  • limiting alcohol and caffeine
  • avoiding stimulant cough or cold medications
  • eating a balanced diet
  • staying hydrated
  • reducing stress
  • exercising regularly
  • monitoring your vitamin K

It’s also a good idea to take note of any activities that produce or worsen your AFib symptoms and talk with your doctor about them.

Weight loss is also recommended for people with AFib who are overweight.

Learn more:

Benefits and risks

There are many benefits to leading a healthy lifestyle beyond its impact on AFib.

In addition, some research suggests that certain herbs might have a blood-thinning effect that could benefit people with AFib.

That said, these aren’t medically recommended treatments, and there needs to be more research to understand these herbs’ effectiveness.

Similarly, limited research suggests that vitamin D supplements may offer some benefit in treating AFib, though the American Heart Association disputes this. Always ask your doctor first before trying an alternative remedy, in case it may interact with the drugs you’re taking.

Learn more: 12 tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and alternative treatments for arrhythmia.

It’s a good idea to come to your doctor prepared with questions so that you can better understand your treatment and how it can impact your health and your life.

Some possible questions include:

  • What is my risk level for stroke?
  • How can I effectively manage both AFib and any other underlying health conditions?
  • Is my AFib hereditary?
  • Do I need a medical alert bracelet or a card in my wallet?
  • Can I live a long life with AFib?
  • What treatment option is best for me?
  • How much will this treatment cost me, and are there financial assistance programs available to help me pay for treatment if I need it?
  • What are the potential side effects of a medication?
  • How will my lifestyle be impacted by a medication?
  • If my heart returns to its healthy rhythm, can I stop taking the medication?
  • What happens if I don’t take my medication as prescribed??
  • What else can I do to decrease my risk of stroke due to AFib?
  • How will AFib affect my daily lifestyle?
  • Will I require additional assistance at home?
  • Are there certain foods, drinks, or activities that I should avoid?

Can you live with AFib without treatment?

The longer you live with AFib, the harder it’s to manage. Without treatment, AFib can increase your chance of developing serious complications. This can lower your lifespan.

What is the life expectancy for AFib?

While AFib outcomes have generally improved, those without the condition tend to have longer life expectancies. How long you can live with AFib really depends on factors such as age, sex, and existing health conditions. While it’s not always immediately life threatening, AFib can lead to serious complications and has a higher mortality rate compared to the general population.

What is the latest treatment for AFib?

In January of 2024, the Food and Drug Administration approved the FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation System. Unlike traditional ablation methods, this system uses gentle electric fields to target and treat the affected area without harming surrounding tissues.

AFib is a condition that causes the heart’s atria to quiver instead of beating normally. This can cause a fast and irregular heartbeat.

It’s a common condition that isn’t necessarily life threatening but can be serious as it comes with some risks, such as blood clots and stroke.

There are a lot of ways to treat it, including medications, surgery, and making some changes to your lifestyle. These can help keep your AFib under control.