We recommend that ventricular rate be assessed at rest in all patients with persistent and permanent AF or AFL. (Recommendation Strong, Quality Moderate)<br /><br />We recommend that heart rate during exercise be assessed in patients with persistent or permanent AF or AFL and associated exertional symptoms. (Recommendation Strong, Quality Moderate)<br /><br />We recommend that treatment for rate control of persistent or permanent AF or AFL should aim for a resting heart rate of &lt;100 bpm. (Recommendation Strong, Quality High)<br /><br /><b>Values and preferences: </b> These recommendations place a high value on the randomized clinical trials and other clinical studies demonstrating that ventricular rate control of AF is an effective treatment approach for many patients with AF.