Atrial fibrillation: supporting heart health by addressing root causes
Irregular heart rhythms can be unsettling and impact overall health. The functional medicine approach explores underlying factors like inflammation and nervous system balance to support heart function and long-term stability.
Atrial fibrillation natural treatment
Looking to treat atrial fibrillation naturally, or find out more about how to? This page covers:
At Melbourne Functional Medicine, we’ll work with you to identify what’s causing your atrial fibrillation and treat it safely and effectively, using our award winning approach to healthcare.
What is atrial fibrillation?
Understanding your condition
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and its incidence continues to increase. It is defined as an unregulated, chaotic and ineffective contraction of the heart’s top two chambers known as the atria. As a result of the ineffective contraction of the atria, ventricular (the main pumping chambers of the heart) contraction can also be affected.
What is atrial fibrillation?
Understanding your condition
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and its incidence continues to increase. It is defined as an unregulated, chaotic and ineffective contraction of the heart’s top two chambers known as the atria. As a result of the ineffective contraction of the atria, ventricular (the main pumping chambers of the heart) contraction can also be affected.
Looking beyond the heart
A common misconception about atrial fibrillation is that it is entirely caused by an “electrical” abnormality in the heart. Whilst this is true in a small number of people, for most, the underlying cause will be changes to the structure and function of the heart that are also contributors to the development of cardiometabolic disease.
Our practitioners take a thorough assessment of a person’s health using the most up to date information and testing to understand what other factors might be causing or contributing to their atrial fibrillation, and create a personalised plan to help them get better again.
Atrial fibrillation symptoms
In most people, atrial fibrillation is asymptomatic most of the time. Most commonly, the first symptom that will present for most people will be heart palpitations or a general sense of the heart racing. Other signs and symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation can include:
- Shortness of breath
- Reduce exercise tolerance
- Dizziness
- Constant feeling of weakness or fatigue
- Chest pain
Atrial fibrillation has 2 main patterns of presentation. Persistent atrial fibrillation is where the arrhythmia is continuous, and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, which is intermittent periods of fibrillation that self-correct within a few hours up to a few days.
Whilst all mechanisms for the development of atrial fibrillation are not yet fully understood, structural changes to the connective and muscle tissues layers surrounding the atria and pulmonary veins, have been found to give rise to electrically charged groups of cells known as ectopic foci. When these foci begin to ‘fire’, they interrupt the normal coordinated contraction of the heart’s muscle.
Finally feel better again
Root causes of atrial fibrillation
A small number of people who develop atrial fibrillation (15%) will have lone AFib that is a result of a known and identifiable structural or electrophysiological problem with the heart.
However, the majority of people who develop atrial fibrillation, the cause is related to hypertension, valve dysfunction, ischaemia heart disease, and other adaptive changes to the heart structure. Some people have a genetic predisposition to developing familial atrial fibrillation.
Whilst atrial fibrillation is not considered a part of cardiometabolic disease, all factors associated with cardiometabolic disease including smoking, hypertension, over consumption of alcohol, sleep disturbances, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, a suboptimal diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, ineffective stress management, are all associated with a 3-6 fold increase in the risk for developing atrial fibrillation. As such, addressing the lifestyle, cardiovascular and neuro-endocrine factors that contribute to cardiometabolic disease and atrial fibrillation is an essential component of addressing the root cause.
Surprisingly, infection with the pathogens Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae may predispose some people to the onset of atrial fibrillation.
Contributing factors to atrial fibrillation
The main contributing factors to the development of atrial fibrillation include:
- Family history of atrial fibrillation
- Smokers have a 2-fold increased risk for atrial fibrillation
- Hypertension increases risk of atrial fibrillation by 56%
- Excess alcohol consumption increases risk of atrial fibrillation by more than 40%
- People who suffer from sleep disturbances have a 3-fold increased risk
- Diabetes increases risk by 40%
- Poor diet contributing to cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease increases the risk for developing AFib
- Obesity and an inactive lifestyle significantly increase the risk of developing AFib
- Effective stress management has demonstrated 85% less arrhythmic episodes in people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation
- Having a history of thyroid disorder
- Exposure to air pollution and environmental toxins
It is also important to address all of the underlying factors for the development of cardiometabolic disease.
People diagnosed with atrial fibrillation have a six-fold increased risk of stroke, and a two-fold increase in all-cause mortality due to the impact atrial fibrillation can have on the dynamics of the cardiovascular system.
Atrial fibrillation treatment – the conventional approach
The conventional approach to atrial fibrillation management is to treat it purely as a problem with cardiac electrophysiology. For uncomplicated cases this will usually mean taking daily medication to control the heart rhythm. Such medications may include beta-blockers, calcium channel blocker or specific antiarrhythmics. In most cases, a person will also be prescribed an anticoagulant to prevent blood clots forming which can be a serious risk factor for people with atrial fibrillation.
In more serious cases a person may require defibrillation to shock the heart back into sinus rhythm, or radio frequency ablation if an accessory pathway is found to be the cause of the atrial fibrillation.
When these interventions fail to work, an ablation procedure may be repeated, which occurs in 50% of patients. Your doctor might suggest installation of a pacemaker that helps regulate heartbeats if other treatments are not effective.
How to reverse atrial fibrillation naturally – the Melbourne Functional Medicine approach
Mark Payne has extensive experience in cardiometabolic health and supports patients with atrial fibrillation by identifying and addressing the root cause of their condition. His approach begins with a comprehensive assessment, which includes:
- Health history
- Family history
- Diet and lifestyle
- Cardiometabolic health
- Gut health
- Inflammation
Functional testing may be suggested to help identify the factors contributing to atrial fibrillation and may include:
- Inflammation markers like C-reactive protein
- Metabolic assessment, e.g. glucose management, blood lipids
- Testing for H.pylori or other pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract
- Food sensitivities
- Nutrient status, e.g. vitamin D
- Thyroid health
- Comprehensive gut health assessment
- Toxic load assessment, e.g. heavy metal analysis
Then, a personalised natural treatment plan for atrial fibrillation will be created. With the guidance of your practitioner and support from a health coach, an expert in behaviour change , you’ll be supported to put the plan into action. This may include:
- An anti-inflammatory diet (such as the Mediterranean diet) to reduce systemic inflammation
- Avoiding inflammatory foods like processed foods, refined vegetable oils, and refined sugar
- Addressing underlying pathogens, for example, H. pylori
- Stress management techniques, including meditation or mindfulness
- Lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation and reducing alcohol intake
- Nutrient supplementation to support healthy heart contractions (e.g. magnesium, potassium, carnitine, CoQ10, taurine)
- Targeted protocols for contributing factors like thyroid health, digestive disorders, or toxin exposure
Ready for a personalised, natural functional medicine treatment?
Our unique model of care was designed with you in mind. Find out how, then book a call today
Frequently
Asked
Questions
How to reverse atrial fibrillation naturally
For those wanting to get rid of atrial fibrillation naturally, current evidence suggests that atrial fibrillation management and prevention should be firstly addressed through modifiable lifestyle factors. Arrhythmia natural treatment might include:
- Healthy diet
- Active lifestyle
- Weight reduction
- Smoking cessation
- Moderate alcohol intake
- Promoting quality sleep
- Effective stress management
Most people who develop atrial fibrillation will also have other factors that contribute to the development of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disease, so it is important that these factors are addressed as part of a comprehensive prevention or management strategy.
What does atrial fibrillation feel like?
Atrial fibrillation often begins with heart palpitations that feel irregular, fast, or chaotic. Other common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Chest discomfort or pain
- Weakness or fatigue
- Reduced exercise tolerance
Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms, and some people may have atrial fibrillation without noticeable signs.
What causes atrial fibrillation?
In around 15% of people, atrial fibrillation is caused by an electrophysiological problem in the heart. For the majority, underlying cardiometabolic factors play a role, including:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Insulin resistance
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Chronic stress
- Systemic inflammation
Identifying and addressing these contributors is an important part of functional medicine care.
Can caffeine cause atrial fibrillation?
The evidence is mixed. Research suggests that low to moderate coffee intake may have cardio-protective benefits, but:
- High caffeine intake, especially from energy drinks, has been linked with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias
- As caffeine is a stimulant, people with AF who notice symptoms (palpitations, rapid heartbeat) are best to limit or avoid it
A functional medicine practitioner can help assess your individual tolerance and guide safe dietary choices.
Can stress and anxiety cause atrial fibrillation?
Yes, stress and anxiety are recognised triggers for atrial fibrillation. They affect the body in several ways:
- Inflammation: Stress increases inflammatory cytokines, which can impact the atrial myocardium (heart muscle) and trigger AF
- Hormonal response: Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to glucocorticoid release that sustains inflammation
- Nervous system effects: Heightened sympathetic activity (fight-or-flight response) can also disrupt heart rhythm
Managing stress through lifestyle, nutrition, and mind-body practices is often part of a functional medicine approach to atrial fibrillation.
What is the difference between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation?
In a normal heart rhythm, the atria (upper chambers) contract first to move blood into the ventricles, followed by ventricular contraction to pump blood into circulation.
- Atrial fibrillation (AF): The atria contract rapidly and erratically due to multiple abnormal electrical signals. This results in a fast, irregular, and uncoordinated heartbeat
- Atrial flutter: The atria beat in a more organised rhythm but at a much faster rate than the ventricles. This often leads to a pattern where there are two or more atrial beats for every ventricular beat
Both are types of arrhythmias that require assessment and management, but they differ in how the heart’s electrical signals misfire.
Can atrial fibrillation cause a stroke?
Yes. One of the major complications of atrial fibrillation is an increased risk of blood clots, which can lead to stroke.
In AF, the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) contract in a rapid and irregular way. Because the contractions are ineffective, blood can pool in the atria and form clots. If a clot travels from the heart to the brain, it can block blood flow and cause a stroke.
Can atrial fibrillation go away on its own?
In some people, atrial fibrillation can be paroxysmal, meaning episodes start and stop on their own, sometimes lasting just minutes to hours before returning to a normal rhythm. However, in many cases, AF becomes persistent or permanent without treatment.
Because AF increases the risk of complications like stroke, it’s important not to ignore even short-lived episodes. A functional medicine approach focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying drivers, such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance, stress, sleep apnoea, or nutrient deficiencies, to help reduce the frequency and severity of episodes and support long-term heart health.
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