Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a common heart rhythm disorder that causes a fast, fluttering heartbeat. At the Cardiovascular Institute of America, Dr. Muthu Velusamy and our team help patients in Tampa and Lutz, Florida, manage their heart health. We offer comprehensive heart rhythm management to protect your heart from serious complications.
While you can’t completely prevent AFib, you can take steps to lower your risk. Both the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association classify people with modifiable risk factors as being at risk for AFib. This means lifestyle changes are a key way to protect your heart before structural damage occurs.
Yes, managing your weight is one of the most effective ways to protect your heart rhythm. Guidelines recommend that overweight adults should aim to lose at least 10% of their starting body weight. Losing weight reduces the physical strain and fat deposits around your heart. This helps prevent the heart’s upper chambers from stretching out of shape.
At our offices in Tampa and Lutz, Florida, we offer advanced tools like diagnostic ultrasound to evaluate your heart's structure. We also create personalized plans to help you reach your goals.
Alcohol has a direct toxic effect on your heart’s electrical system and can trigger irregular rhythms. In a 2026 review of studies following millions of adults, very high alcohol intake was associated with a 75% increased risk of AFib.
Alcohol can irritate the heart muscle and shorten its natural resting periods. Even moderate drinking can increase your risk of developing a heart rhythm disorder. We evaluate your lifestyle and health history to help you make safe choices for your heart.
Regular, moderate exercise is highly beneficial for your heart rhythm, but extreme endurance training can actually increase your risk of developing an arrhythmia. A 2025 review notes that while moderate activity protects the heart, excessive high-intensity endurance training can cause heart stretching and scarring.
The American Heart Association recommends aiming for 210 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week. Activities like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming are excellent ways to strengthen your heart. Our team helps you design a safe exercise routine that fits your current fitness level.
Protecting your heart starts with understanding your unique risk factors. If you’re concerned about your heart rhythm, we’re here to help. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Velusamy at the Cardiovascular Institute of America today.
