Some people are diagnosed with Afib and after a few months, they convert back to a regular rhythm on their own. It really does not happen that often, but it can. If your heart remains in sinus rhythm, you may be able to come off the blood thinners.
There are other procedures to attempt to convert you back into sinus rhythm. They can do an electro cardioversion, that is, they shock your heart (just like they do if your heart stops, just with a lower dose of electricity) in hopes it will convert. There are also medications they may try to get you back into a regular rhythm.
2 main things with Afib. First, you need your blood thin to prevent a clot from forming in your heart chambers and causing a stroke. Warfarin (coumadin) is the cheapest and most common drug used, but you must regulate your INR regularly. Like others have said, eat and drink like you normally do. It is much easier for me to regulate your INR when you are eating normal. What usually happens, people will be good with their diet for a week or so, then go back to their old habits. Once that happens, your INR will change and it can put you at risk. There are new medications that might be used such as Pradaxa, Xarallto or Eliquis. These are taken once or twice daily and you do not need your plasma levels checked.
The second issue is that your heart rate remains controlled. Rapid afib can cause all the symptoms discussed above--dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue. Medications help control this such as digoxin and metoprolol or other beta blockers.
Atrial fibrillation should not keep you from doing normal activities. You will have to give up race car driving, like Brian Vickers, playing in the NBA like Chris Bosh, or juggling knives due to the bleeding risk. Basically anything that can increase your risk of trauma or bleeding. Just remember if you cut yourself, it will take longer for the bleeding to stop. If you can't stop the bleeding or see blood in your urine or stool, get to a health care provider!
