What should you not do if you have atrial fibrillation?

Exercise. Working out regularly may help lessen your Afib symptoms . What’s more, exercise can help you keep your weight under control and to lower your blood pressure. Both things help ease the load on your heart and lower your chances for Afib.

Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are first-line agents for rate control in AF . These drugs can be administered either intravenously or orally. They are effective at rest and with exertion. Intravenous diltiazem or metoprolol are commonly used for AF with a rapid ventricular response.

In addition to causing high blood pressure, high sodium levels have been linked with a long-term risk of developing AFib. Avoid or reduce salty foods such as pizza, cold cuts, salad dressings, and soups to reduce your risk. Check food labels for the amount of sodium, and ask your doctor what your daily limit should be.