Primary prevention strategies are based on reducing risk factors through lifestyle modification.[1]Hindricks G, Potpara T, Dagres N, et al. 2020 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). Eur Heart J. 2020 Aug 29 [Epub ahead of print].
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Modifying diet to promote weight loss, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and increasing exercise may all reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including AF.[29]Gorenek B, Pelliccia A, Benjamin EJ, et al. European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)/European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (EACPR) position paper on how to prevent atrial fibrillation endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) and Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS). Europace. 2017 Feb 1;19(2):190-225.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6279109
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28175283?tool=bestpractice.com
[30]Lavie CJ, Pandey A, Lau DH, et al. Obesity and atrial fibrillation prevalence, pathogenesis, and prognosis: effects of weight loss and exercise. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017 Oct 17;70(16):2022-35.
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[31]Middeldorp ME, Pathak RK, Meredith M, et al. PREVEntion and regReSsive Effect of weight-loss and risk factor modification on atrial fibrillation: the REVERSE-AF study. Europace. 2018 Dec 1;20(12):1929-35.
https://academic.oup.com/europace/article/20/12/1929/5038102
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Weight reduction with intensive risk factor management has been shown to reduce atrial fibrillation symptom burden and severity, and result in beneficial cardiac remodelling.[82]Abed HS, Wittert GA, Leong DP, et al. Effect of weight reduction and cardiometabolic risk factor management on symptom burden and severity in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2013 Nov 20;310(19):2050-60.
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