Dr. Michael McDonald, Cardiologist, Toronto, ON

The goal of atrial fibrillation treatment is to restore your normal heart rate and rhythm and prevent blood clots.

The rate control strategy is to slow your heart down with medications that are relatively easy to take and safe.

The rhythm control strategy involves getting the heartbeat regular and back to normal, often with medications called antiarrhythmic drugs.

Ablation can be a very effective atrial fibrillation treatment, but it isn’t for all patients.

Cardioversion restores a normal rapid heartbeat with small, very safe electrical shocks to the heart of a patient who’s briefly put to sleep.

Research shows that dietary habits influence disease risk. While certain foods may trigger chronic health conditions, others offer strong medicinal and protective qualities. Thus, many people argue that food is medicine. Yet, diet alone cannot and should not replace medicine in all circumstances. Do you look at food as if it can be medicine for your disease? If yes would you like more information on this, save the PDF for further conversation with your HCP.

Many vegetables and fruit are particularly rich in vitamin C and in beta-carotene, which is a form of vitamin A. These work as antioxidants in your body, helping to slow down or prevent atherosclerosis by reducing the buildup of plaque from cholesterol and other substances in the arteries.