Weight loss and exercise?

[Snet99]

I am in persistent AFib with acceptable rate control most of the time. I have a demanding but satisfying job but get quite tired when working particularly long hours.

I’m interested in knowing how many of you have embarked on planful weight loss and cardio exercise and whether this was recommended by your medical providers. If so, was it helpful?

[BobD Volunteer]

Weight loss is always useful and has been shown to be benificial in reducing AF burden. A BMI of less than 25 is deemed desirable . As far as exercise is concerned it is important to listen to your body and not try to push past comfortable. Going balls out is not sensible.

[CaroleF]

As always, BobD's advice is sound. Where exercise is concerned do what you enjoy and listen to your body. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to carry on a conversation/talk whilst exercising.

As for loosing weight, I found that in the year after diagnosis and whilst taking bisoprolol I put on over 1 stone. That was due to a combination of doing less exercise than I had been accustomed to (I had very little energy), to the bisoprolol itself (it lowers the heart rate) and probably eating rather too much as well - not really unhealthily, but portions larger than I should have been eating! I think that was partly because I felt colder in the winter; I think that may well have been due to the bisoprolol as well. My hands were like ice all the time.

I no longer take bisoprolol (hurray!) and am exercising a little more and am determinedly eating much less. It's proving hard to shift the weight I put on though and my BMI is still just over 25. (prior to AF diagnosis is was more like 23.5)

[jondeanp]

My AF is always persistent once it appears

I found I have experienced different symptoms when doing exercise in each different AF period although this may be because I have tried different exercise routines

My most recent episode turned out to be flutter and I was able to do HIIT sessions quite successfully albeit at not quite full intensity.

I was ablated in February and have been able to get back into running with no ill effects so far