AFib and mental effects when exercising - Atrial Fibrillati...

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AFib and mental effects when exercising

KevJenn profile image
7 Replies

Hi Folks,

Two weeks ago I had an afib episode triggered by sex and then resolved a day later while working out at the gym. (Last episode was 4 months ago and again resolved by going to the gym)...Now I am clearly having anxiety issues around intimacy with my wife as I am worried about it being triggered again...I love bicycling with my daughter as well..but now I am worried that might trigger an episode... I guess I should be happy that twice it resolved naturally..Once after 9 days and once the next day ..How do you folks cope worrying about episodes being triggered? Any advice? :(

Appreciate your time !

Best,

Kevin

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KevJenn
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7 Replies
Dawsonmackay profile image
Dawsonmackay

It may happen again, without warning. Don't stop living. Once it occurs more often, you should get it checked or wear a holter monitor for a few weeks and hopefully it will record it and then the docs will know exactly what you have.

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce

Hello Kevin.

You are not alone ! It`s pretty normal (IMO) to worry when having sex - I have certainly had concerns when having intimacy with my girl in case my heart was affected.

As far as I am aware sex will not bring on afib. I also think having a bike ride with your daughter will not cause you any problems at all. In fact I would suggest the exercise will do your heart the world of good. Build up slowly - maybe cycle a mile 5 times a week to start - build up to 1.5 miles the next week and so on. Your heart will thank you in the long term. It`s the best of both worlds - you get to spend time with your daughter and help the health of your heart.

It sounds like exercise really helps you. I`m convinced it helps keep afib at bay. It sounds like it has done this for you twice. Why not have a good bike ride with your daughter and maybe drop her off to play with some friends. I think you`ll feel more relaxed after exercise knowing your heart has had a work out and could enjoy dinner in with your wife.

Best,

Paul

KevJenn profile image
KevJenn in reply toPaulbounce

Hi Folks

Thank you for timely replies..I have had an echocardiogram which was totally normal, Holter Monitor which was normal and CT Angiogram no blockages so Cardiologist thinks heart is fine...but man this Afib when I do have it..chest is pounding etc. really sucks. I take 25 mg atenolol to reduce heart work but a side affect it can cause erectile dysfunction so I do not like being on it at all...Appreciate the input from both of you!

Kevin

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

Tensing your body could be causing this to happen. So tensing your body when in AF could also stop it. If it happens again try this valsalva maneuvre:

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

As a bloke - it's been a bit of a nagging feeling during sex coupled with high doses of Bisoprolol/Flecanide and trying to work shifts with a young family. It all adds up and sometimes you can't help being at the back of your mind. Even when the Mrs. "does all the work" you're still mindful something might happen or everything going on might affect you in other ways and it is off putting. No shame in admitting that.

Away from the bedroom, I used to regularly hammer 12 hour clinical shifts with only an hour off my feet in that time.... often covering 7-10 miles in distance as well as the standing/manual handling part.

On my days off I could also tackle the Peak District, travelling 2-10 miles on a day off depending where we went.

I've not done either of them for over a year, until this week just gone I racked up 9 miles over 4 hours (punctuated by 2 bus rides and lunch) with a 6.7KG backpack and a dog. For a lot of that time my HR was up 110-130 (my normal HR when in AF) but it dropped on rest which is what it should do for everyone.

That was a huge boost, particularly as I was on my own (with 2 mobile phones my tablets my medical history and my GPS beaming my location back home and on a well traversed route) but it's a start!

I do miss it, I've been in this circle of - if I exercise it would help my general health and affect my AF in a positive way, and I'd be able to exercise more, which would help my health and AF and mean I could push my exercise more... and so on.

You'll get there!

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce in reply tojedimasterlincoln

Nice post Jedi - I agree with every word you have said.

It`s good idea to always have back up in case of a problem. You wrote

......That was a huge boost, particularly as I was on my own (with 2 mobile phones my tablets my medical history and my GPS beaming my location back home and on a well traversed route)......

Wise - good idea.

You also wrote

.......if I exercise it would help my general health and affect my AF in a positive way, and I'd be able to exercise more, which would help my health and AF and mean I could push my exercise more... and so on.

You'll get there!......

More wise words. Well said mate.

Best,

Paul

KevJenn profile image
KevJenn

Good information folks!! Thank you for your input. I STRONGLY supsect my vagus nerve in all of this. All my heart functions are normal otherwise.. echo...monitor ..and ct angiogram... Wish they could come up with a cure but then pharma might not be too thrilled with that..

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