jingqui2025,

Afib treatment is an indiviual process, so we can't tell you what to expect. It will depend on what other heart conditions you have if any, and whether episodes are infrequent or persistent, with rvr or without. It's frustrating to wait but hopefully you will get the treatment that is right for you. I can only relate my experience. I have Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and when Afib presented it was persistent (never stopped) and with a high heart rate. To make a long story short, rate control drugs were first tried and caused fatigue and low blood pressure but did not lower heart rate. I took two different drugs while waiting to see an EP in the Hear Rhythm clinic at Mayo. When there, I was offered either rhythm conrol drug or ablation. One ablation usually doesn't do it with ApHcm, so I started on a rhythm control drug and it worked really well for a while. Then had some breakthrough episodes, but continuing with the antiarrhythmic drug for now. Good luck.

Hello jingqui, Much depends on whether you have persistent afib (heart fibrillates for more than a week, or considered "permanent" if constant, ie. a year or more) or paroxysmal afib (you have periodic episodes of afib, but most of the time not in fibrillation). I have had paroxysmal afib for over 14 years. I started with episodes every 3 months, but now I get them twice a month, and I take flecainide when an episode starts, which stops it in 3-4 hrs, plus metoprolol (a beta blocker which keeps the heart rate lower). Some people take flec daily to stave off episodes; I just take it PRN, ie., when needed. Paroxysmal afib often has "triggers" that can be managed, like anxiety, alcohol, foods or digestive issues, vagus nerve involvement, & numerous others. You can often use valsalva methods, breathing techniques, posture, singing, etc. to stop paroxysmal episodes, but persistent afib will usually require daily meds. These days, doctors want to do ablations, but most people require more than 1, they aren't permanent cures, there are risks, and most of us want to give the various medications a good try first, before resorting to an invasive procedure. I'm happy with the meds, and I get no side effects from any of them (some people do). If you are in permanent afib and have no or few symptoms from it, you may just remain on blood thinners, and live your life normally (except for avoiding knives 🙂 ). Consult your doctors, do some reading, and you will see that you can live long and normally with this condition. I do have 2 cardiologists and a GP, so that I can get at least 3 opinions on treatments. Hope this gave you a bit of help. Blessings of full health!