BeWEL

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

Objective

This study will test a new behavioural weight-loss treatment (BWLT) provided within a traditional 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
- ≥18 years old
- Symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter within the past year
- BMI ≥30 kg/m2
- Sedentary lifestyle (not currently meeting basic physical activity targets of ≥150 minutes/week)
- Ability to speak and write in English
- Willingness to be referred to a behavioral weight loss treatment (BWLT)
- One of the following:
  - Obstructive sleep apnea
  - Diabetes
  - Hypertension
  - Heart failure
  - Dyslipidemia
  - CAD
  - Peripheral artery
  - Cerebrovascular disease
Exclusion
- Longstanding-persistent (defined as ≥ 3 years continuous AF) or permanent AF
- Uncontrolled coronary artery disease
- Completed a CR program within the previous year
- Currently enrolled in a structured behavioural weight loss program
- Currently scheduled to receive catheter ablation in AF
- Currently taking GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Received bariatric surgery in the previous year prior to enrollment OR scheduled for bariatric surgery during the study period