Can yoga and lifestyle changes help manage AFib?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 38 years old, and I have recently been having frequent heart races. According to my doctor, there are cases of AFib.

While reading online, I found that meditation can help improve heart rhythms. However, my question is whether yoga and breathing techniques can help. My cardiologist has recommended heart medications, but I do not like the way they exhaust me. Despite the medications, there are times when my heart rate suddenly rises.

Can yoga and breathing exercises help convert AFib at the age of 38?
Do lifestyle modifications help in stopping AFib attacks?
Is it the case that medications only help?

I am worried that I might be on heart medications for the rest of my life.

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read the query and understand your concern.

Atrial fibrillation is known as atrial arrhythmia (an abnormal heart rhythm). Yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation can be useful for some patients with atrial fibrillation; however, they can help through relaxation, better sleep, and reduction of triggers like anxiety and adrenaline levels. Nonetheless, these approaches alone will not usually change or treat atrial fibrillation.

Being 38 years old, it seems appropriate to consider lifestyle aspects since lack of proper sleep, stress, consumption of alcohol, excessive caffeine intake, fluctuations in weight, thyroid disorders, as well as general physical condition, can affect the development of atrial fibrillation.

In case the cardiologist has recommended the patient some medications, he or she should do this with the purpose of controlling heart rate or heart rhythm and avoiding further complications. It is essential for the patient to report fatigue to the attending physician since the amount of the drug and its kind can be adjusted.

Lifestyle adjustments can help to diminish the number and intensity of atrial fibrillation attacks in most cases; however, this approach usually accompanies medical treatment, not substitutes for it.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.