Hi - as some of you might know, I went for an exercise echo a couple of weeks ago which induced AF. However, when my heart was recovering and slowed down it's beating, the AF went! It is good but is it normal? Has anyone experienced anything similar?
I am having an angiogram on 5th Jan too, to see if my arteries are sound or not
Hi! Yes, I can't always predict whether exercise will induce my AF, and it seems several things will trigger it for me. But, exercise is definitely an issue for mine! Hope this helps! Best Wishes - KeL 
I often feel like my heart is trying to go into AF when I first start exercising, it starts off very unsteady but then it becomes steadier once my heart rate goes up after a few minutes, to say around 130 or so. It's like it just doesn't like a sudden change of pace. Or maybe I just don't exercise enough
With mine it's the sudden change of pace also (along with the completely random bouts). My last one was 7 days ago when my 12 year old said let's race to the car, only 50 metres. That set me off for 21 hours....
My PAF and atrial flutter is mostly triggered by an active gym session when I can peak around 230 bpm; that's also been borne out by a Bruce protocol treadmill test with an ECG. When I stop exercising, sinus is usually achieved in about 10 minutes with my pulse returning to around 85 bpm.
Before going on daily flecenaide, exercise sometimes induced AF, but now that I'm on daily flecenaide, exercise never induces AF. However, after exercise my heart can sometimes go into a light rapid sinus rhythm (90 - 100 bpm) which is inefficient and makes me lightheaded. In that state I feel I *could* go into AF (although I haven't so far) and the heart rate stays high for 10-15 mins even after I sit down. The rhythm is regular, but inexplicably remains high for 10-15 mins, almost like a panic attack. Is anyone familiar with this symptom?
Yes that sounds familiar. My tolerance gradually reduced over time as the recovery time increased, I remember standing at the bottom of a ski lift for 40 mins waiting for my HR to lessen because I felt I couldn't stay on the button (France).
Hi Thomps - yes I get that. I swim in particular will elevate my HR, and it might stay high for hours afterwards. Yesterday, after a swim, my heart had stints of 110 some hours after the swim. The surgeon who did my PVI did advise that high HRs might happen.
Very interesting. One question whether it is better to avoid inducing that state (so avoid exercise triggers), or should we just exercise regardless of that effect on heart rate?
Well Thomps - my new rule is 'listen to the body'. My body seems to like the exercise, but I don't push it too much. Tonight, rather than cycling up the hills, I just got off and pushed the bike. My heart seems to like that arrangement. I can push my HR to 145, but I don't stay there. I'm sure that exercise is good, and that too much is bad - so I just need to find out where the boundaries are.
I am intrigued by Pip Pip's suggestion below. To my reckoning, it doesn't 'feel' like atrial flutter - but rather episodes of fast NSR. However, there could be flutter there, I would need an ECG and an analysis thereof to find out for sure. I hope it's not flutter. My recent ablation sought to address flutter as well, though AFib has been my much greater problem over the years.
I'll get a holter monitor before Easter, give my heart some challenges and see what I can precipitate.
I've had to give up Zumba because although I couldn't feel my af whilst dancing boy does it come on a few hours post excersise . This has left me just taking it easy at the gym . Ie no more sweaty classes. On bisoporal and warfarin
. I would like to see an ep the cardiologist rushed me out waiting for a holter monitor. It seems a very slow process to me . The only help I've had has been from this site and all my fellow sufferers. Diagnosed in August 2013. Happy Christmas everyone.
Exercise was the main trigger for mine, but then I could also sometimes get rid of it by alternating sprints and walks.
Froggy, my AFIB comes on when I exercise. I bike twice a week and swim 3 times a week. I'm 69.The AFIB occurs not as much on my biking as swimming. I think part of the issue is the meds I'm on (blood thinners). I've read the side effects are lack of energy . My stamina has seemed to have disappeared. Had 3 stents put in around the first of July. When I get in the pool sometimes I can swim 3/4 of a mile other times I'm lucky to do 3 laps. I start to feel really tired and struggle to breathe. I've tried stopping until the erratic pulse rate returns to normal. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Trying to figure out a routine has been real frustrating for me. When I get to the pool I never know how it's going to go. Been keeping a journal to track my exercise to see if I can come up with a pattern. Wednesdays seems to be the hardest day for me. Good luck. If you find an answer please post and let us know.
I am on a pill in the pocket treatment. And all through I am a little nervous when I go off road cycling. Af will not stop me doing what I love. I know I was over doing it in the gym which started this sorry journey of af for me. But with diet and moderate exercise I have my fingers crossed for the future
12 years ago when I was exercising at the gym almost every day my heart rate used to shoot up over 200BMP and I had to stop for a while. Later I developed AF. A connection? Maybe?
I can relate to a lot of your replies, thank you so much for your comments. Alcohol used to be my trigger - that and eating large meals. I have successfully cut those two out now.
It just seemed weird that exercise brings it on then I go into NSR when I rest up - all of the time. I am not complaining mind you - compared to the permanent AF it is a breeze. Well, you certainly live and learn 
Have a very happy and restful Christmas everyone, God Bless you all xxx
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