Lifestyle overhaul may keep atrial fibrillation at bay

NCT ID NCT03682991

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Nova Scotia Health Authority Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether intensive lifestyle changes—like treating sleep apnea, cutting alcohol, exercising, losing weight, and managing blood pressure—can stop atrial fibrillation (AF) from coming back after a heart procedure called catheter ablation. About 509 people with AF who are at higher risk due to factors like obesity, high blood pressure, or smoking are taking part. The goal is to see if these changes reduce hospital visits and serious AF episodes.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Aggressive risk factor control (lifestyle changes including sleep apnea treatment, alcohol reduction, exercise, weight loss, blood pressure management, and smoking cessation)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could show that intensive lifestyle changes help prevent atrial fibrillation from coming back after a heart procedure.
What could go wrong: This is a behavioral intervention, not a drug, so results depend heavily on patient adherence. The study is still ongoing, and it may not prove that these changes alone prevent AF recurrence.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

atrial fibrillation

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Foothills Hospital

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hamilton Health Sciences Center

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Kelowna General Health

Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Laval Hospital

Laval, Quebec, Canada
London Health Sciences Center

London, Ontario, Canada
Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
McGill University Health Centre

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Montreal Heart Institute

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Ottawa Heart Institute

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
QE II Health Sciences Centre

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3A7, Canada
Regina General Hospital

Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Sacre Coeur Hospital

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Saint John Regional Hospital

Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
St. Mary's General Hospital

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
St. Michael's Hospital

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
St. Paul's Hospital

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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