Calex, there a couple of problems with leaving atrial fibrillation untreated. First, the atrium is not contracting normally and this leaves blood to stagnate in it and frequently coagulate. The clots formed in this way can be ejected into the brain and cause strokes. This can be treated by anticoagulation with aspirin or other anticoagulants. Second, the failure of the atrium to contract normally in AF, can reduce cardiac output. In an otherwise healthy individual, this is not a big deal but if someone has other heart problems, as people with atrial fibrillation often do, it can reduce cardiac output to the point of causing significant symptoms. Ablation is the use of an electrical stimulus to destroy the abnormally firing pacer in the atrium that is causing atrial fibrillation. There are medications that can reduce heart rate if one has atrial fibrillation but there are not without their own problems. Ablation is generally very well tolerated and effective. I would much rather have this procedure than live with untreated atrial fibrillation.
Thanks for the info, however, I have had Afib for years now, in fact I first had it before the ablation procedures came into being, so I know all the stuff you told me. Thanks again, and I have no bad symptoms, no dizziness, no faintness etc. but I do have to take coumadin and be tested monthly, would like to get rid of that if possible.