Patient discussions

Identify unhealthy lifestyle factors and give the patient advice on these to help prevent recurrence.[1] Focus, where relevant, on the following factors. 

  • Physical activity: encourage the patient to undertake moderate-intensity exercise and remain physically active.[1] Advise the patient to avoid excessive endurance exercise (e.g., marathons and long-distance triathlons), especially if they are over 50 years old.[1]

  • Weight loss with comprehensive management of concomitant cardiovascular risk factors: maintaining a healthy weight may reduce blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, and risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, therefore improving the patient’s overall cardiovascular risk profile.[1] 

  • Alcohol intake reduction: regular heavier alcohol consumption (>14 units/week) is associated with an increased risk of AF.[23] Alcohol abstinence has been shown to reduce arrhythmia recurrence in regular drinkers with AF.[1]

Work with the patient to identify strategies for comprehensive risk-factor modification and interventions targeting underlying conditions that may apply, in particular:[1] 

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer