How about swimming?

[Wightbaby]

Hello Everybody

I have not been on here for a while.........

We have been given a voucher, for a day at a local holiday camp including lunch. One of the facilities at our disposal is the swimming pool. Now, I have not been, or tried swimming since I was diagnosed over 5 years ago....it's not through fear, it just hasn't come about!! This sounds ironic for someone who lives 10 minutes walk from the sea......but its usually too ****** cold!!

So how do others get on, please, as far as breathlessness, stamina etc., is concerned?

[10gingercats]

I went swimming two weeks after some minor heart sugery.I also had Afib.It was a 'refreshers course' The water was so cold I only stuck it for three sessions!Cannot say i noticed i felt any different ....heart wise.....after it .If you are worried how about sending your GP an e mail for advice.?I do that occasionally .

[Hidden]

Since I developed permanent AF, my cardio fitness and stamina have dropped. I still go swimming in our local pool but have to go in the slow lane now, and have to stop to get my breath after 1 length. I still enjoy it but I can no longer challenge myself. Pool temperature is an issue with my BMI being on the low side.

When I had paroxysmal AF (predominantly vagal type) vigorous swimming never caused an episode though I guess an unheated pool in the UK might have done so after diving in.

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

It’s the warmer water I have problems any indoor pools are just too hot for me. I find as long as you don’t dive in cool-cold water is much better for you, improves vagal tone.

[DK81 in reply to CDreamer]

What is wrong with diving in?

[CDreamer in reply to DK81]

If you are not used to cold water & haven’t tested it to be sure you can cope you could be susceptible to cold water shock which more people die of in UK than from drowning.

[DK81 in reply to CDreamer]

OK, so it is the water temperature that is the issue, not diving in!

[paolina in reply to CDreamer]

Me too, I live in Italy and the doctor did advise me not to go to the pools in the local Spas as they are generally too hot. The local pool tend to put the temperatures up when there are small children using the pool and for aquafit which I find annoying as the warm water really slows me down and I'm slow enough anyhow. I'm 72 and learnt to swim in the freezing cold swimming pools and sea in England, perhaps that's why

[RoyM in reply to Hidden]

Hi Oyster. I too am in permenant AF since May 2016 and i agree with you, since going into permenant AF I am still able to comfortably do everything a have always done, except less so. I would say going into permenant AF its robbed me of 10 - 15% of my exercise capability. Having said that i consider being in Permenant AF for me is easier to live with than PAF. I am lucky that my heart rate is well controlled and I don't suffer any unpleasant symptoms. Having said all that i would still prefer to be in NSR but I have stopped chasing that particular holy grail and simply get on with life. Cheers Roy

[Hidden in reply to RoyM]

Hi Roy

I think I’m like you but not as fit! Would like to get rid of the coupled beats which usually come the day after an exercise session. Also trying to find the right dose of nebivolol. Haven’t given up on getting a few gentle hill walks this summer. Exercise and hard manual labour was such a part of my life before, that letting go of that has not been easy. Then I look at Ranulph Fiennes and think I should just get a grip!

[Wightbaby in reply to RoyM]

Roy, thanks....i follow this philosophy too!

[CDreamer]

Best form of exercise for me advte cold water really helps. I hate it when it’s too hot.

[Jollies]

I have been swimming with no problems with af, although I too was nervous beforehand. Would go swimming more if the chlorine didn't aggregate my eczema so much !

[DK81 in reply to Jollies]

Maybe you are aware of the fact that in modern pools ultra-violet light is used to keep the water clean, so that reduced quantities of chemicals are needed. If not, I hope this information is helpful.

[Kaz747]

I swim quite often without any dramas. I also spend a lot of time in the walking lane. Water walking is great exercise.

[Buffafly]

I was ok with swimming except for an occasion when I had a slight chest virus and shouldn't have gone.

[terryw]

Hi Wightbaby.I have swum for decades and since 2004 I have had AF. Until the last twelve months it was persistent, but currently it has been ‘permanent’. I swim 28 continuous lengths once a week and I will not see 75 years again! I used to swim 80 lengths but I have reduced the distance as I got older. I am slow but steady doing the crawl! My advice would be to check with your G.P. as a precaution – he will almost certainly be a keen supporter! Build your distance up slowly and steadily- do not get over ambitious! Swim on a regular basis to increase strength and stamina. Finally AF affects us all differently so my experience may not be yours. Do what you can by trial and error. Remember if you have not exercised to any extent before it will be hard at first. I would wholeheartedly support exercise! TerryW

[Wightbaby in reply to terryw]

Ha ha! I am only going for a day session!! Although to be fair,if it goes well, I may take up a bit of lane swimming again!!

[terryw in reply to Wightbaby]

Great way to keep the body trim! Go for it. TerryW the Adonis!!

[Barb1]

Great exercise . If you feel a little breathless use a Noodle for support.

[Hidden]

swimming is great, jump in , do what you can, enjoy

[Wightbaby]

Thanks everybody! I have always HATED swimming in cold water.......just trying to get into the sea or a cold pool, always took my breath away. Hence my question....I will let you all know how it goes...we have not booked it yet!