Exercise after ablation

[Dangerousdriver]

Hi all,

Just wondered what people’s thoughts were on exercise after ablation.

I had a double ablation (cryo and RF) in May 2018 and I have made a good recovery so far with no medical intervention or need to visit A&E. I have gone into SVT on the odd occasion but it seems to only last 20 odd seconds and as a result it’s not bothered me too much.

But, I’ve noticed I have become so much more aware of my heart and often it feels like something is happening in my chest, but when I take a Kardia or Apple Watch reading there is nothing wrong. I have realised that I have become almost hyper aware and that is not a good thing sometimes.

I have recently started a new job and as a result I have been exercising more, but I realise that when I’m on the cycling machine, I don’t let my HR go over 130 tops, and then i’m not willing to keep it there long, but I know this is wrong! I am due to see my EP in May and will discuss with him, but for the second time the appointment has been cancelled.

I guess after that long winded description i’m asking how others have got on and if anyone has ended up back in AF from exertion. I’ve always had great BP but the last few weeks I have noticed I am heavier than I have ever been and my BP has gone from 110/70 to 130/80 so I am keen to get that back down. I am not sure why it’s crept up? The only thing I can think of is that I have a bad ear infection at the moment and that might be causing it?! Who knows....

Anyway, thanks for reading as always and Happy belated Easter!

Leon

[BobD Volunteer]

I think we all become far too aware of our hearts once we have had AF. Hard to break the cycle. I had about nine years of normality before my A tach hit and set me worrying again so I do understand.

Exercise is really about listening to your body and not over doing things. In other words don't go balls out and keep something in reserve.

[Dangerousdriver in reply to BobD]

Exactly mate, and each of us is different, with differing tolerances etc.

I’m not an anxious person really, even when I had a-fib and flutter. I think I’m more nervous about it returning that just enjoying the fact I’m ok at this moment in time.

Let’s be honest, the fact I’m on anticoagulants means the risks are greatly reduced, and with a-fib you aren’t just going to keel over you would hope.

I want to see how I get on and try and push myself not too far, but what’s the point if you don’t take risks. Like I said, what’s the worst the worst that can happen? I go into a-fib...

[Dangerousdriver in reply to BobD]

Plus to add, I’d love to go balls out, but I had testicular cancer last year too lol, so I’d only be doing that by halves now ha ha...

Sorry I see the humour in the most inappropriate things!

[AIW58]

Given your forum name let's get you out of a car and onto a bicycle. 😁

I'm coming up to 4weeks post ablation so am cautiously increasing my exercise. I started park run in Jan and keen to resume but like you don't want to push it.

Hope your EP appt happens soon. Do you have a number for arrythmia nurses could ask them? Not sure how definitive they will be but some general advice would help re max heart rate. Exercise will help your BP you definitely want to keep that at a healthy low.

Be interested to see what advice you get.

[flecathletics in reply to AIW58]

Parkruns are working well for me, you can start by going at your own pace, walking with the back markers and building it up from there. It’s a very good way of assessing your progress week by week - no one’s bothered if you stop for a breather, it’s not a race. If you have a choice go for a flat one. And they’re free! parkrun.org.uk/

[flecathletics in reply to flecathletics]

Just to add - all parkruns are 5K, they take place every Saturday at 9 am. The other benefit apart from the exercise is that you meet lots of nice people. There's also a Facebook page for people with heart problems: facebook.com/groups/parkrun...

[Dangerousdriver in reply to AIW58]

I’m on the bike to be fair and I tolerate it quite well, better in fact than in the gym where you purely concentrate on HR. On a real bike you aren’t watching your HR, you just go on how you feel. Which in my view is better. I do have my arrhythmia nurses number and will call them up. They’ve always been pretty good at getting me the right advice!

[kitenski]

Take it steady, build it up over time and listen to your body. I exercised within 4 weeks of my ablations but kept HR under 120, which meant walking on some runs! I'm 10 weeks since my ablation and consultant said I can increase HR. I've been keeping it around 140 cycling and running, but it actually peaked at 157 walking up Pen Y Ghent yesterday with no ill effects so far!

[Hidden]

The BP increase that you refer to is only important if it is sustained: isolated readings don’t have great

significance according to my GP (possibly you were a bit stressed or had just eaten at he time of the reading?). 130/80 is still a perfectly

acceptable reading. Weight gain might however increase your BP. GP also said that salt reduction is most important for lowering BP, even ahead of lowering alcohol.

I would check with the GP that pushing the heart to 130bpm is ok if you haven’t already- sounds a bit high to me. Finally, Kardia will show ectopics on the ECG but not report them ( they have a sort of rounded “loop” appearance), but as they tend to be sporadic you may not have trapped them. I’m thinking of getting the Apple Watch: would it wake you if you had PAF at night?

[Dangerousdriver in reply to Hidden]

Well, in answer to your question regarding the Apple Watch and detecting PAF at night, I am not sure if it detects that whilst you are sleeping but in theory, it checks your HR every 10 mins, so it could pick it up. I find I use it a lot more than my Kardia, just because it's always on me, and it takes a second to get a reading.

I am seeing my EP on Monday, so I will discuss all this with him.

[Swamps]

Hi

I had a successful Ablation 4 years ago am on no meds and excercise regularly I let my pulse up to a max 170 whilst running and sometimes 180 just for the last 200 Mtrs of a 3 or 5 mile run. I am

Now 59 but have run regularly since recovering from my procedure (I ran before as well) and I’m sure that it is what keeps me going. Reading on here about 2nd 3rd and 4th Ablation I feel lucky but honestly believe exercise helps! I also work shifts early late and night.

[Sam72- in reply to Swamps]

That’s brilliant 👍🏼👌🏼

[MarkS]

I had a combined RF/cryo ablation 9 years ago. I started walking after a week, just round the block, then exercising more a month afterwards with short gym sessions, swimming and cycling. I gradually worked that back up over 3 months but not at the same rate I had previously - i.e. bike rides were 5-10% slower as well as less long (none over 40km). I had a heart monitor which used to worry me whenever I looked at it on a hill so I chucked it away. 130 bpm is OK, I wouldn't go above that. Touch wood my heart is more or less behaving itself now (I was in AF up to 80% of the time).

I also eat a lot more salad and veg which make me feel full despite having less bread and my weight is very stable.

[Ianc2]

get yourself a fitbit or an app for your phone and have a go at regular steady daily exercise. Don't expect instant miracles but keep at it and you will see your fitness improve. Worked for me.

[KMRobbo]

i had a afib cryo ablation last january 18, and a right atria RF ablation for a flutter in Feb 18.

I run 5 or 6 miles once or twice a week , generally keep max hR to 155 with beeps on my Garmin 305. I have been above a few times going up hills . I also cycle 20 to 55 miles once, sometimes twice a week HR restrictions and hills the same.

No problems for me with this. I reduced weight and BP, but am also eating more healthily most of the week.

NOTE - i did not develop afib owing to exercise, in fact for 20 months when I got Afib I went for a run to get rid of it.

If I thought I developed afib owing to endurance running/whatever I would be more concerned about exercise and getting AFIB back.

Dr John Mandrola ' s web site has good points about AFIb and excerise (and he has a book - the haywire heart but I have not read it). mandrola is an EP, with AFib who is a cyclist so he has experience.

drjohnm.org/

Good luck

[Dangerousdriver in reply to KMRobbo]

Ah, see mine was brought on by exertion stress etc. My first ever episode was a guy I was trying to arrest pulled a knife on me and was trying to stab me! Then after that, it was running that brought it on, so that's why I'm more cautious now. I am seeing my EP on Monday, so will raise this with him.

[KMRobbo in reply to Dangerousdriver]

Do search Dr johns website even if it only gives you more questions to ask your EP. His was (probably) brought on my too much cycling effort

[Sam72-]

Hi there , I to had the same type of ablation procedure and am coming up to my 2 year post ablation this August, funny thing I to get exact same thing you describe, feels like a quick burst of SVT then stops . I am a very anxious person 😩🤦🏼‍♀️ so getting into the gym sends me into a panic but I did do a stress test before they discharged me from my EP . Have you had one done as it may put your mind at rest 👍🏼

[Dangerousdriver in reply to Sam72-]

Hi Sam, well I’ve learnt not to worry too much about the odd blip. As I said it’s not going to suddenly make you keel over and die, so I don’t see the worth in worrying. What I do get a bit nervous about is getting the a-fib back! That would suck!m big time...

Good idea regarding the stress test, I’ll ask for one on Monday.

[Sam72- in reply to Dangerousdriver]

Yes definitely get one it stressed me out having it lol 😂 🤦🏼‍♀️ you should also have had the 24 hours monitor on you by now I presume? They done a few tests on me at glendfield 👍🏼

[Dangerousdriver in reply to Sam72-]

I don't need a monitor to be honest, I have a Kardia and Apple Watch, so anytime I pick up something I get a reading right away that captures it normally. Then I send it over to the arrhythmia nurses and they put it in my file for when I see the EP.