Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNatural Remedies for AFibCan AFib Be Completely Reversed?An Integrated Approach to AFib TreatmentSummaryNext in Atrial Fibrillation GuideHow to Identify Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Natural Remedies for AFib
Can AFib Be Completely Reversed?
An Integrated Approach to AFib Treatment
Summary
Next in Atrial Fibrillation Guide
Atrial fibrillation(AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm. It is commonly treated with medicine, however, whenAFibis not responsive to medicine, a surgical procedure may be needed.
Natural treatments have also been used with some success, such as yoga and biofeedback, which minimize stress and incorporate healthy lifestyle modifications.
This article will discuss AFib treatment options.
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Atrial fibrillation is a serious condition that is managed with medical interventions under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Natural treatments, however, can complement medical treatments.
Before starting any natural treatments, talk to a healthcare provider to ensure they are safe for you.
Atrial Fibrillation
Yoga
A 2013 study in theJournal of American College of Cardiologyreported a decrease in AFib episodes in 52 patients who practiced yoga three times a week for 60 minutes for three months. These study participants also reduced their heart rate andblood pressure.
More research is necessary to establish yoga as a treatment for AFib. However, yoga may be added to traditional treatments to provide movement and exercise, which can benefit health.
Acupuncture
A few older studies with small sample sizes looked at the effectiveness of acupuncture in converting people out of AFib and keeping people out of AFib. The studies showed success, but due to the study age and sample size, there needs to be more research to fully support acupuncture in treating AFib.
Biofeedback
Stress and anxiety are known triggers of AFib.Biofeedbackuses deep breathing,guided imagery, relaxation, and other techniques to gain awareness of the body and how to control it. People who use biofeedback can reduce their anxiety and stress during AFib episodes and potentially decrease the likelihood of developing AFib.
As with the other natural treatments, more research needs to be done to examine the role of biofeedback in people with AFib.
Natural Treatments for Chronic Atrial Fibrillation
Many people seek out natural treatments for chronic conditions. The reasoning is different for each person but they may be looking for ways to treat a condition without side effects, to avoid medications, or to have exhausted standard treatment options for their condition.
Medicationsthat are used to reverse AFib include:
When medications do not reverse AFib, a procedure may be used, including:
Making certain healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of AFib and manage the condition. These include:
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that can be successfully reversed with medication or procedures. People at an increased risk of developing AFib may benefit from adopting healthy lifestyle changes in addition to traditional treatments.Always talk to a healthcare provider before beginning a new treatment for AFib.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lakkireddy D, Atkins D, Pillarisetti J, et al.Effect of yoga on arrhythmia burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the YOGA My Heart Study.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;61(11):1177-1182. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2012.11.060Kanmanthareddy A, Reddy M, Ponnaganti G, et al.Alternative medicine in atrial fibrillation treatment—Yoga, acupuncture, biofeedback and more.Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2015;7(2). doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.01.13American Heart Association.Atrial fibrillation medications.National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.What is atrial fibrillation?Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al.2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS guideline for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines[published correction appears in Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e167].Circulation. 2024;149(1):e1-e156. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lakkireddy D, Atkins D, Pillarisetti J, et al.Effect of yoga on arrhythmia burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the YOGA My Heart Study.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;61(11):1177-1182. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2012.11.060Kanmanthareddy A, Reddy M, Ponnaganti G, et al.Alternative medicine in atrial fibrillation treatment—Yoga, acupuncture, biofeedback and more.Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2015;7(2). doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.01.13American Heart Association.Atrial fibrillation medications.National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.What is atrial fibrillation?Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al.2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS guideline for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines[published correction appears in Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e167].Circulation. 2024;149(1):e1-e156. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lakkireddy D, Atkins D, Pillarisetti J, et al.Effect of yoga on arrhythmia burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the YOGA My Heart Study.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;61(11):1177-1182. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2012.11.060Kanmanthareddy A, Reddy M, Ponnaganti G, et al.Alternative medicine in atrial fibrillation treatment—Yoga, acupuncture, biofeedback and more.Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2015;7(2). doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.01.13American Heart Association.Atrial fibrillation medications.National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.What is atrial fibrillation?Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al.2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS guideline for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines[published correction appears in Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e167].Circulation. 2024;149(1):e1-e156. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
Lakkireddy D, Atkins D, Pillarisetti J, et al.Effect of yoga on arrhythmia burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: the YOGA My Heart Study.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2013;61(11):1177-1182. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2012.11.060
Kanmanthareddy A, Reddy M, Ponnaganti G, et al.Alternative medicine in atrial fibrillation treatment—Yoga, acupuncture, biofeedback and more.Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2015;7(2). doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2015.01.13
American Heart Association.Atrial fibrillation medications.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.What is atrial fibrillation?
Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al.2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS guideline for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines[published correction appears in Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e167].Circulation. 2024;149(1):e1-e156. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
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