REWEIGH-AF

Behavioural Weight Loss Treatment for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Obesity in Cardiac Rehabilitation

This study will test a new behavioural weight-loss treatment (BWLT) provided within a traditional Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. Patients who have AF and obesity will take traditional CR with added BWLT. Traditional CR consists of participating in exercise sessions, supervised by health professionals, twice per week for 12 weeks. In addition to exercising, patients will complete 12 online group therapy classes to learn strategies from psychology to help them lose weight. After patients complete the 12 week program the investigators will collect patients' perspectives on the program in order to make changes if needed before testing BWLT in a larger group of people. The investigators will also weigh patients and measure their AF symptoms before and after the program to determine if taking CR+BWLT helps with weight loss and AF symptoms. This research will help efforts to provide effective treatment to patients with AF to help them lose weight and reduce or eliminate AF symptoms.

Enrollment Criteria

Inclusion
- Age 18-75
- All AF subtypes (paroxysmal, persistent, permanent)
- BMI ≥ 30 kg/m^2
- Suitable for AF clinic referral and follow-up
Exclusion
- History of myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery in the last 12 months
- Moderate to severe valve disease
- Severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (EF<35%)
- Active malignancy
- Autoimmune disorder or systemic inflammatory condition
- Severe renal or hepatic impairment