Atrial fibrillation (AFib), is an irregular heartbeat that affects around 2.7 million Americans. It is caused by a disruption in the electrical signals that regulate heart activity. The result is a rapid, erratic and sometimes irregular heartbeat. While AFib can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications, and/or medical procedures, it is not typically something that goes away permanently.
The primary treatments for AFib are lifestyle changes, medications, and/or medical procedures. Making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and eating a healthy diet can help reduce symptoms. Medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers can help regulate the heart rate and reduce symptoms. In some cases, medical procedures such as ablation may be recommended to help eliminate the abnormal electrical signals that cause AFib.
While these treatments can reduce AFib symptoms and help keep the heart rate regulated, they are not typically a permanent solution. AFib is a chronic condition, and the risk of recurrence is high. Even after successful treatments, the risk of recurrence remains, and lifestyle changes and medications may need to be continued in the long-term to keep symptoms under control.
In some cases, AFib can go into remission. This means that the symptoms have gone away and the heart rate has returned to normal, even without any treatments. However, this is rare and short-lived, and the risk of recurrence remains.
Unfortunately, AFib is not something that typically goes away permanently. However, with lifestyle changes, medications, and/or medical procedures, it can be managed and the risk of recurrence can be reduced.