How Can Atrial Fibrillation Be Prevented?
You may be able to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF)
by leading a healthy lifestyle and taking steps to lower your risk for heart
disease. These steps include:
- Not smoking
- Following a heart healthy diet that is low in
saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and that includes a variety
of grains, fruits, and vegetables daily
- Getting regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
If you have heart disease or risk factors, you
should work with your doctor to control your condition and lower your risk of
complications, such as AF. In addition to following the healthy lifestyle steps
above, which also can help control heart disease, your doctor may advise you to
to take one or more of the following steps:
- Follow the
DASH
eating plan to help lower your blood pressure.
- Keep your cholesterol (total cholesterol,
high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) and
triglycerides at healthy levels with dietary changes and/or medicines.
- Limit or avoid alcohol.
- Control blood glucose (blood sugar) levels if
you have diabetes.
- Get regular checkups.
- Take medicines as directed.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's
"Your Guide to
Lowering High Blood Pressure" Web pages have a prevention section that
provides information and links on heart healthy eating.
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