Atrial fibrillation is a preventable type of arrhythmia. Here are some steps you can take to avoid heart rhythm disturbances and steady your heartbeat:
· Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily.
· Eat no less than two servings of fish every week. Studies showed that eating salmon, tuna and trout may lead to a healthy heart. Also, eating broiled or baked fish may reduce risk for atrial defibrillation.
· Avoid binge drinking.
· Avoid caffeine-based drinks. As a nervous system stimulant, caffeine, when taken in small amounts, may prevent you from falling asleep. However, if taken in large amount, caffeine may cause heart palpitation which is one of the symptoms of atrial fibrillation.
· Avoid smoking. Nicotine can wreak havoc on the body system and cause the heart rate to speed up and become irregular.
· Exercise regularly. Aerobic activities such as cycling, jogging, walking and swimming are recommended.
· Maintain your ideal weight by eating a balance and healthy diet
· Eliminate stress. Anxiety is one of the common causes of palpitations.
· Avoid medications that may trigger atrial fibrillation. Some medications that may cause fibrillation are appetite suppressants, cough and cold medications, antidepressants, asthma medications, narcolepsy medications and thyroid medications.
· Do not take diet pills. Diet pills that contain phenylpropanolamine or PPA can cause palpitations which may lead to an atrial condition.
· Take antibiotics if they are prescribed by your doctor to reduce your risk of developing endocarditis or heart infection.
· Get enough sleep at night. During sleep, your body’s need for oxygen-rich blood is reduced. This will allow your heart to relax its pumping.
·  Check your iron. Rapid and erratic heartbeat, as a harbinger of atrial fibrillation, may also indicate iron-deficiency anemia. One of the major functions of your blood is to deliver oxygen to every organ in your body through red blood cells. Oxygen is carried by iron in your red blood cells. If your body lacks iron, your heart beats faster in an effort to send more iron-deficient blood to your organs.

Some studies showed that pharmacologic therapy involving angiotensin receptor blockers, statins, angiotension-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium channel blockers and aldosterone may play a role in the development and recurrence of atria fibrillation. These drugs interfere with heart’s electrical impulses. However, the use of any of these drugs should be assessed carefully especially if you have other heart problems.
It is never too late to change your lifestyle to avoid developing atrial fibrillation