AF and physical activity

[Geoffreymccracken]

What do people do during an AF episode. I just sit it out on the sofa or bed.this is due to fear.also I swim regularly so how long do you wait before you exercise after an episode ?do more experienced AF patients just go along with their normal life ?

[rosyG]

I swim gently and soon after a day with AF if the episode was not too debilitating. Best not to be too vigorous until things settle down again

[CDreamer]

This question was asked at a patient's day 2013 and the answer was as long as you feel you are able and feel ok but as Rosy says, nothing vigorous as you want to keep your HR at a steady rate. Everyone is different but I know I must stay at a max of 120bpm.

You don't need to do vigorous exercise to get the benefit, at total of 4 hours a week of mild to moderate walking has been found to be beneficial.

[Therealsue]

It was running for me that used to bring on episodes, but when it happened, I'd carry on, but much more slowly and with lots of walk breaks.

[Musetta]

Hi Geoffrey, I walk 30 minutes a day at medium pace (not power walking!) and include a couple steep inclines as extra exercise. I ask my cardiologist the same question - as long as there is no discomfort, pain or severe breathlessness, continue with whatever you're doing. Hope you keep well.

[pkc05]

Hi Geoffrey, I'm a keen cyclist and If I go into AF while out on the bike I have to carry on at a much reduced pace and callapse at home! If I've had an overnight episode and have arranged to ride in the morning I just go and ride and don't worry about the heart rate. The only thing that slows me down is the beta blocker and Flecanide.

That attitude may seem irresponsible but I think it's about knowing your body and pushing a little just to find out what you are capable of in AF and after a 12hr episode. I once had to ride 25 miles to a youth hostel in AF as there was only me and my heavy bike. I spent 12hrs in AF and the following day cycled 60 miles to the next hostel. You have to find your own limit.

I hope figure out your threshold and keep swimming.

Regards

Paul

[Geoffreymccracken]

Thanks for all your replays about exercise.this group is great.it does seem as a general rule that patents seem to the the experts here.that is not an ill reflection on the medical profession, I understand that something's just don't have absolute answers.

May I ask a further question .at what point would anyone seek the accident and emergency dept whilst in AF. Is there a heart rate level were you would say enough is enough I have to seek medical help.

[heartmatters1 in reply to Geoffreymccracken]

Went to A&E when it first happened as did not know what was going on & had drug cardioversion which put me back in NSR. Only meds now is flecainide (pill in the pocket) which (touch wood) I haven't had to resort to yet. Advice given if this doesn't help within a few hours or experience chest pain to take myself off to A&E.

Let's hope there is no need for that Geoffrey.

Best wishes Ally

[Musetta in reply to Geoffreymccracken]

Hi Geoffrey, I was first diagnosed with AFib - Nov 2012 - when my HR jumped from it's normal 60-68bpm to an irregular fast 180-200bpm! ( I was reading my daily newspaper at the time, nothing strenuous!) Went to emergency within the hour (I live 45min from nearest the hospital) An ECG confirmed I was in AF. Since then I've had the odd short episodes lasting 1-15 minutes. Going back to your question as to when to go to emergency - my cardiologist suggests anything from 120bpm and upwards that last for 1/2 to 1 hour needs to be addressed and managed in emergency. I hope this answer will help you decide when's the best time for you to go in. Meanwhile ,be well.

[Geoffreymccracken in reply to Musetta]

Thanks that has been most helpful

Geoff

[Hidden]

i do what i can when i can at varying levels of exertion never went to A and E with my AF not much help i know sorry

[paulh1]

Geoffrey, I swim and bike. I have more problems with the swimming at this point than the cycling. I've tried warming up prior to getting in the pool. That didn't work. I've found,for me. that starting out easy and gradually building up my pace allows me to get a good 3/4 of a mile in. I used to do 1 mile but have cut back. Found my endurance has been lagging. i kind of do what Paul talks about. I do as much as my body lets me do. If I find my self getting REALLY winded I just stop for awhile catch my breath and start over again if I can. It's odd. I either get really winded within the first 3 laps or 6 laps. If I make it past 6 I'm good till the end. Go figure? Most important, don't give up. Find out what works for you and go with it.

[Geoffreymccracken in reply to paulh1]

Thanks Paul I will try a longer warm up and cool down. At present my AF is happening every 6 to 8 weeks so in between I'm trying to keep my swimming up .it is very important in my life.

[PeterWh]

My own thoughts are (based on what I have read here in these posts and when reading numerous articles and websites) is that the more paroxysmal AF incidents you have the more likely that you are to go into persistent AF. If you have persistent AF then it much more likely that you need 2 or 3 ablations and that the overall % of success is less than if you just have paroxysmal AF and have an ablation. ERGO the more you push yourself to the limit and beyond the worse your AF is likely to get. However as commented many times in the blogs AF is very different for different people.

I probably had paroxysmal AF for sometime indeed but explained it away (in my head) because I was no longer in my 40s or early 50s, work, other things, etc, and exacerbated because I did not have any extreme AF episodes. I had an unrelated operation with a GA which certainly made the AF worse and it was persistent. A cardioversion put me into NSR for a week but the reverted to persistent AF so now waiting for an ablation.

[Jason1971]

Hi Geoff, I'm not the best swimmer, but whilst in AF I find swimming is fine. It's running and circuit training I struggle with. I'm also fine with weights. I think only you have the answer, as your body will tell you if it's struggling.

Stay well,

Jason

[Geoffreymccracken in reply to Jason1971]

I appreciate that .i have had many medical conditions including two kidney transplants and brain infections but this AF is the hardest to get my head around.it is so random and scary at the moment. I am also a bit unsettled by the medical professions lack of urgency or concern. I appreciate that this might be because they too are baffled.this site is certainly helping though.