How much exercise is good when in AF?

[GranJan]

I know exercise is good in this condition, as in all, but when one is in AF and feeling low,

should I take the dog for a walk, do the vacuuming,or go shopping etc? Or just sit down and read a good book to take one's mind off it?

[rupert12]

The cardiologist informed me only last week that it is better to lay down or put your feet up and be quiet, I usually do a crosswork or sudoko and sometimes some crochet, exercise (for me) just makes it worse. Wendy

[rupert12]

Opps sorry I meant crossword ! Wendy.

[TheStand]

What Wendy said can be true. Since your heart is already racing and many experience low blood pressure (due to the irregular heart beat) there can be a danger of falls or fainting. But with that being said, I know many who report that exercise will actually return them to NSR. I would say to check with your Dr . You know how your body is feeling and as long as your Dr says OK, do what you can endure. I might not try mountain climbing or hang gliding during an attack though

Tim

[BobD Volunteer]

Yes Some people find that exercise can out them back into NSR but we are all different that is the problem. Listen to your body and be guided by it. You know yourself better than any doctor. If you feel OK going for a walk or mowing the lawn then fine. Be aware that unusual activity carries more risks than regular ones so don;t start any new hobbies whilst in AF. As Tim says hang gliding is a bad idea (under any circumstances in my view but then I'm a devout coward)

BobD

[GranJan in reply to BobD]

Thank you all for those replies, so far I have found that being quiet with something

to concentrate on, ie try to take my mind off what's happening usually suits me better than trying to [even] walk briskly, just because I get breathless.

Hang gliding isn't even slightly in my arena, nor ever was.

[skary]

I've tried exercise but when heart is off the rails I go on computer and play Runescape.....an online multi player game . Sad I know but I find it calms me and let's me choose how much brain power I can use. Reading can do it but sometimes I end up going over same paragraph til I could scream so either feet up and rest or do something not too taxing,

[GranJan]

That makes me feel better, so I don't feel I'm just being lazy!

[coopo]

I took up meditation years ago and it is so helpful if I am feeling out of sorts it never fails to put me back to normal ( not that I was ever that normal) Relax shut your eyes and gently focus on your breathing , dont do anything to alter it just watch it go in and out ,your mind will wonder off but catch it and go back (gently) and focus on your breath again. Keep on doing this for as long as you feel like ,try 10 mins at first . It sounds so easy but its not , always remember it takes a long time to master do it nice and slow .Good luck let me know how you do .

[GranJan in reply to coopo]

Gosh, I had almost forgotten how marvellous that feeling is, thank you, I will do it again. Do you breathe in to the count of 4, hold for two, then breathe out to 4, and hold for 2 again ?

Takes a fair bit of concentration, but it always worked for me.

[Bagrat]

I use a CD by a buddhist nun who says "do not try to alter the breath just concentrate on it" or similar words. The meditation then goes on to recognising how breathing feels.

I note there is already a Wendy so will stick to Wendy B!