Should I make changes to my diet if I’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation?

Date Updated: 07/16/2019

Answer Section

Making healthy diet changes can help you improve your heart health and live a healthy lifestyle if you have a heart condition such as atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder.

Aim to eat a heart-healthy diet, including:

Fruits
Vegetables
Whole grains
Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
Proteins such as lean meats, nuts, seeds and beans
Foods low in salt, added sugars, saturated fat and trans fat

In addition, your doctor may recommend that you limit or avoid alcohol if you have atrial fibrillation, as alcohol can cause health issues in some people.

If you have diabetes, it's important to control your blood sugar levels.

You may need to avoid certain foods if you're taking certain medications to prevent blood clots. For example, if you're taking warfarin — a blood-thinning medication — your doctor will recommend that you avoid eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables. These vegetables have vitamin K in them, which can interfere with the effects of your medication.

Discuss with your doctor any questions you may have about your diet.

Also, your doctor will likely recommend other healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, getting regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure levels under control.