By preventing or delaying the onset of such diseases as atherosclerosis, a person is less likely to encounter dangerous arrhythmias. If a person has already been diagnosed with heart disease, the best way to prevent arrhythmia is to closely follow a treatment plan for the original disease. This will most likely include healthy lifestyle changes (e.g., reducing use of alcohol and caffeine and stop smoking). Patients will also be asked to visit their physician for regular testing to monitor their heart function.

Otherwise, because there are so many different forms of arrhythmia, there is no single strategy that can prevent them, especially arrhythmias that occur without warning. However, people may be able to notice a pattern in their arrhythmias. For example, the heart may race after exercise or heavy exertion and may slow considerably when sleeping or resting. Additionally, certain high-stress situations can cause rhythm abnormalities. People are encouraged to identify any situations in their lives that appear to trigger arrhythmias, and consider how they might avoid those situations as much as possible.