Hello, I'm new - first post...

[Sydneyside]

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I am looking forward to learning from you. I have recently been diagnosed with paroxysmal AF . Quite a shock as I had not heard of this before. I had purchased an UP band (similar to Fitbit) monitor which had heart rate monitoring, as the company where I work was having a fitness challenge. My heart rate readings were a little concerning to me, with spikes regularly over 140 beats per min, when I was resting (and often while I was asleep). I went to doctor, to be honest expecting he would say the monitor may be faulty, but instead he said it may be something, and he put me onto ECG - and found I had AF

I am taking medication, and have changed my diet, and I was initially quite shocked/stressed and worried by the diagnosis... I have two young children, and quite a high pressure job, But now (a few months later), I am actually feeling more positive about the diagnosis - what a great incentive to make a change... Have others also had similar experience? And what do you find is good level of exercise - is treadmills align ok, or should I be trying to run?

[Rellim296]

Hi Sydneyside, and welcome. There's nothing quite like a dodgy heart to make you sit up and look after it and it's not hard to be attentive and do the right things.

Your diagnosis sounds a bit like my situation was about 25 years ago when I was 45. I wasn't diagnosed until many years later as my heart's wayward ways never seemed to be much of a problem to me and although I told my doctor I about them and once had an ECG taken when the heart was off at a canter, no action was taken. I had a big drop in blood pressure on one occasion six years ago and that propelled me by ambulance into A & E for an unhappy day. 7 day ECG and echocardiogram followed. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia was diagnosed but a few months later it was decided that I had developed AF. I have it under control. I wouldn't say I exercise but I use a treadmill and just walk briskly. I used to jog (I had a two year old and a 6 month old when I turned 40 and felt I needed to keep fit in fairness to them) and still run a bit but feel it jars my back. I stick to getting the heart going nicely and steadily on the treadmill for 25 minutes (about a mile and a half) without interruption at least once a day. Just enough to be almost short of breath. I play a game on my ipad at the same time and the time flies.

[Sydneyside in reply to Rellim296]

Thank you Rellim296. I appreciate your response, it is so nice to have this site, and I am enjoying reading, and learning. I don't feel so alone in this diagnosis. I think I will start walking on treadmill, I actually think it might inspire my son as well as he is starting to get a bit fitness conscious. thank you.

[Gracey23 in reply to Sydneyside]

Welcome! My experience was very similar to you. My recommendation is to stay connected to this amazing forum. I discovered it months ago and have learned so much. My EP had me on aspirin therapy and upon learning from this forum that I should be on an anticoagulant I actually challenged my Dr. I am now protected by Pradaxa. I also have decided the correct path of my treatment is to have an ablation. My questions were brilliantly answered by the caring people on this forum. Eat well, mild exercise, proper rest and eliminating stress are your best defense. Take charge of you and keep asking questions! Gracey

[Rellim296 in reply to Sydneyside]

Yes, you can learn such a lot here and while we all have different battles with AF, we also all have so much in common.

I lost confidence when I slipped while out walking when it was icy and had a tiny pelvic fracture (a month on crutches and a further three months of recuperation) and bought the treadmill to get fitness back. Three years on there are not many days that it doesn't get used and usually more than once. It is also excellent for the entertainment of visiting children! It's a big thing and noisy but I would be lost without it. I have to put my fitbit round my ankle because I am too timid not to hold on with at least one hand.

[CTG99]

Hi Sydneyside,

I've tried to keep life as normal as possible since my diagnosis aged 42 three years ago. The only thing I've given up is Coca Cola, although I was already drinking decaf tea, and I know that 2 glasses of prosecco is my limit otherwise the bubbles start causing problems.

In addition to medication, I use a form of Japanese osteopathy called Amatsu to keep my body in balance and reduce the likelihood of AF episodes. Building confidence in the gym has taken a while and I worked with a personal trainer who researched AF and spoke to the person doing my Amatsu treatment to understand what was ok and what was off-limits. Knowing that he had done his research into AF meant that I was confident to try whatever he suggested - the first exercise we did was one that I had been avoiding!

I now walk on the treadmill using a profile of hills and flat to get some variation in heart rate and do various weight exercises - squats, lunges and some light weights. Rules are:

* elbows don't go above the head (I can do a form of shoulder press lying at a 30% angle so my arm goes straight up from the floor but not above my head)

* where possible, exercise symmetrically (so both arms or both legs moving together).

* avoid moving while holding my body weight (press-ups, dips), although a static plank seems ok.

* avoid abs crunches. Abs should be exercised as part of the other exercises.

In addition to the gym, I've found my Body Balance class good. This is a mix of yoga, pilates and tai-chi. The only section where I can't do what the others are doing are any abs crunch-type movements. I do toe-taps instead.

Hope that helps.

Caroline

[CTG99 in reply to CTG99]

Correction - make that elbows don't go above shoulders and hands don't go above head - elbows above head would be quite a feat!!

[Sydneyside in reply to CTG99]

Thank you so much, this will help me with my goal to start some exercise. I am still drinking Diet Coke, but down to one small can per day on weekdays... I know it needs to go, am trying to wean myself off it..