Anybody cycle or endurance training while on Solatol?

[Pommylump]

Hi

I usually do an Ironman every year, I had an Ablation 4 years ago and have been Afib free till Sunday, I got cardioverted on Wednesday.

My cardiologist told me to keep training, my heart rate is struggling to get over 115bpm and after an easy 30 minute ride I feel very fatigued.

Anybody else training while on these drugs? if so how does it feel?

Thanks

Nick

[SRMGrandma Volunteer]

I can't specifically answer your question, but I am a bit surprised your cardiologist is giving the green light for continued endurance training. While exercise is so good at preventing coronary artery disease, there seems to be a point where elite athletes significantly. increase their risk of developing or continuing Afib by intense training. The average increase in risk I've read is 5x that of the general population, with some studies saying as much as 10x risk. Here is a link to an article. It's good to decide for yourself your risk vs benefit when deciding how much to exercise. Wishing. you wellness. afibrunner.com/2018/03/14/e...

[Pommylump in reply to SRMGrandma]

Thanks For the reply SRMGrandma

There is a lot of food for thought on that website and also afibandcycling.wordpress.com that was linked too.

[Ridley60]

Hi Nick, I’ve participated in a number of endurance cycle events (etape du tour etc..) pre-ablation Jan 2014. My EP advised against continuing volume of exercise and suggested I exercised moderately.

However moderate means different things to different people. My version was to limit my exercise to a maximum of between 8-10 hrs a week.

I’ve recently needed a 2nd ablation as I had PV breakthroughs that were again triggering AF. But there’s no structural change to my heart so I intend to continue with previous exercise limits.

[Pommylump in reply to Ridley60]

Thanks for the reply Ridley

Is that your name or what you ride I have a Noah Fast if its what you ride.

My max heart rate is around 175 but last couple of years I have tried not to go over 160, don't know if it helped and like you I have cut back to 8-10 hours most of the year, a few more leading up to Ironman.

My cardiologist told me to carry on with some hard rides over the next month and see how it goes, but as you know hard rides are impossible while on these drugs, as it sounds like you had same max heart rate, which is useless, he has gone to europe for a month so can't talk to him about it.

At least it sounds like its normal and not just me so I will see how I go till he comes back.

[Ridley60]

Sorry forgot to answer your question.

I took Felc and Bisoprolol as PIP. But only ever took 1 Bisoprolol as the day after I took it I went for a bike ride and my HR Max’d at about 115 bpm it’s normally close to 160.

I felt very lethargic too.

[Ridley60]

Spot on, manufacturer and frame size, although it’s only the Ridley Orion. Great bikes.

I also try to limit mine to around 155bpm but I’m a sucker for a sprint finish and can’t stop myself.

[Pommylump in reply to Ridley60]

The Ridley Orion is a nice bike, you must be pretty tall for a 60 and I know the feeling about getting sucked in

[MarkS]

I cycled to Paris and back on Sotalol, it was pretty awful and really limited how hard I could work. I've now moderated my exercise.

[Sean_C]

I have a similar experience to Ridley60. I had my 3rd cardioversion 2 weeks ago and was put on Bisoprolol. Both running and cycling were affected with my average heart rate around 130 and max of 140. My resting HR was low 40’s and sometimes lower which is uncomfortable, so my EP told me to stop the Bisoprolol as my Ramipril keeps the BP good. Within 2 days I’m back to normal with av HR around 150 and max popping up to 170’s for hills or hard efforts. Bisoprolol definitely the culprit for me.

[Pommylump in reply to Sean_C]

Thanks for the reply Sean, my resting heart rate now is around 40, normally 48ish but I don't like it that low either, I'm hoping my body will adapt and my rate will go up a few beats in next couple of weeks.

[johnMiosh]

Hi Pommylump, Afibandcycling is me.

After my cardioversion, I felt brilliant although the bisoprolol (1.25 mg) reduced my max HR to about 140 (from 185 previously). I lasted 10 days before going back into AF and starting the long road to treatment by hybrid ablation, which my cardiologist believes has an 80% chance of lasting 20 years.

It seems that there is very little consensus on what level of exercise is safe post-ablation and the advice I have been given is fairly rudimentary. Don't race or do extreme intervals. Back off after a hard effort and make sure that the HR starts to fall steadily. If the HR soars, stop. If it doesn't fall afterwards get to A&E.

I have taken my return to cycling very steady because I am enjoying my current level of exercise and don't want to jeopardise my recovery. I am 2 mph slower on average than a couple of years ago and have had to buy a cassette with more teeth for each bike (Scott CR1 and Bianchi Via Narone. I also have a Moda track bike and a 1954 Ephgrave fixed set up for canal paths). I still join in on club rides but stay with the slower group. I have been back to the velodrome, but only for SQT training with the vets group.

John

[Pommylump in reply to johnMiosh]

Hi John

Thanks for the reply, I actually read your whole blog when I found it linked from afibrunner which SRM grandma pointed me too.

I was reading about your hybrid ablation, I will talk to my cardiologist about that when he comes back as it sounds interesting.

I have started doing my group rides again, I know I won't keep up with my current heart rate and I don't want to push myself anyway, but I am lucky enough to own a Giant Trance-e E-bike, I have put slicks on it and derestricted the top speed, now I just control my heart rate with the power setting, if they are going easy I just turn power off or put it on 1 if the pace picks up I crank on more power, my range doing this will be up towards 90kms.

So I can still ride with my normal friends without ruining their ride.

Once again Thanks for the reply and I will follow your blog for further updates.

Nick