Hi all, So, I'm back to running. Earlier this year Mrs Omniscient and I did a 5mile run for SueRyder which was fine. Long training schedule build up and a slow run on the day (67mins). I used to run when I was younger (Am now 56) so am enjoying getting back into it and feel fine. But there's this nagging doubt as to whether I should be doing this.
On the forum there are quite a few people who run but I haven't found anyone with permanent AF. Then there's the question of whether run organisers want you taking part with a (as we know) less than understood condition. So I'm now looking at doing a longer run next spring ( so will need to build up soon). What do people think?
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Thanks Rosy, I suspect that serious running when I was younger has put me in this state but this is nothing like that level of intensity(=madness). I must admit that I have never heard of AF getting worse, so maybe its as bad as it can be (and I'm asymptomatic) I just dont know.
I also try to run every day. My understanding is exercise is fine and helps afib. However moderation is key. I suggest discussing with your doctor to work out whats best for you.
Thanks Paul. I will go to the GP I think, the problem with that is our surgery aren't brilliant on AF, and on past exerience if I saw 2 Drs I'd get 2 opinions. Maybe I should see 3 and choose the winner. I believe that reasonable excercise is essential for a healhy heart (and healthy everything) and I do little that is a good cardio workout otherwise.
Look up the Maffatone Method, by Dr Phillip Maffatone. I started to use this approach after diagnoses and the obvious need to slow things down from a previous full training/working/racing lifestyle. Its helped me alot, I have maintained a good level of healthy exercise while not pushing my heart to the previous extremes, made me much more mindful of just what I am up to when training. Good luck with your journey.
Bruce Protocol. You are wired up so that your heart wave forms are displayed on a big monitor and the data is recorded. You then start slowly walking on a treadmill whilst one nurse watches your wave form and another takes your blood pressure at regular intervals. Automatically the treamill speed and gradient will increase in sequential steps. When you go into atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter - mine flip-flops between them - the test stops, all infomation is recoreded including your time to NSR.
Hi Rod, You say you have had an attack, does this mean that you get occasional attacks of AF and then respite? I am in AF all the time, so I fortunately dont suffer the trauma that AF sufferers do that get intermittent AF attacks. So life is easier I guess, though the stroke risk is higher I would imagine as the lack of sinus rhythm is 100%.
The other thing is the medication. Often we are put on beta blockers and the popular one is Bisoprolol (In the UK), this can totally crater your energy so we need to be careful about dosage. Once you are diagnosed (and you can see this on other posts in the forum) it can take a while to 'tune' your medication to your lifestyle and illness. I hope this healps - apologies if I am barking up the wrong tree(s).
I was put on 10mg bisoprolol which made me feel dreadful!! Sore dry cough- nausea stomach - breathlessness too reduced energy - meds biseprolol was reduced to 7.5mg and can now cope much better! Lesser symptoms- much less zombified
I am nearly 59 years of age and have been in permanent AF for at least 2 years. I was stung by a wasp at our Anniversary party and went to hospital at which point I was diagnosed with AF which currently is persistent/permanent but am on the waiting list for Ablation. I feel totally indebted to that wasp for stinging me and consequently for the hospital to be able to diagnose me 🤣I didn’t have a clue I had it before the wasp sting but am now on the usual meds to help me.
Before the sting I was cycling 5000 miles approx per year and I am aware that this may have been a factor in me developing AF. After diagnosis I took it easy for a while and didn’t ride for about a month. However after initial discussions with the Cardiologist I was advised to carry on “but don’t push it”, (myself that is and not the bike!). Then further discussions with the EP after an Echocardiogram and MRI when I was told to “carry on”.
So that’s what I’ve done but now doing about 3000 miles per year and cycling 2 mph slower. But I still get a little breathless up hills sometimes but get an awful lot out of it. I would have no hesitation in saying that life goes on and if that’s what you want to do, then do it.
I too developed af as a result of high exercise and there have been 4 of us in my triathlon club who developed af just after 50 yr old. It means you won’t achieve the same speed results and endurance also affected, but no reason not to train up and do events. You will need to inform organisers though and if on anticoagulants. I had major issues when a car knocked me off my bike on a triathlon training. He was prosecuted for dangerous driving, but I had brain bleed and major problems, which ended my cycling career.
Many thanks. I'm aware that I will not be zooming round teh courses like I used to but this si encouraging thanks. Wierdly I have a heel injury which is causing me real pain ATM so that is a biger issue currently.
Goldfish - have you had any knock back from ticking the Any Condition We Need to Know about box?
Ian, IMHO the first few years after diagnosis are key, the longer you have it, it seems the less inclined the NHS is to do any serious interventions.
I had a knee op in 2002 in hosp, and my GP thought he'd detected an irregular heartbeat in 2009, so my AF probably started in between. Due to being otherwise fit and moving house numerous times I didn't get it properly diagnosed until about 2011 maybe.
Hi, I am of a similar age to you and love running and cycling. I am not in perminent af however so not totally suited to give you advise but I get af most days.I regularly get bouts of af whilst running or cycling and find it difficult to manage. I remember being on a 100 mile ride in Spain and we had just got to our destination before returning to base and went into af after having an ice creme. I had to take it easy and not exert myself and made it home OK. The key for me is to make sure that my heart rate is a low as possible and if that means stopping g for a breather then that's what I do. My maximum normal heart rate is about 165 but when I go into af whilst exercising it has gone to 220. So now I make sure it stays under 150 and adjust my effort accordingly. If I don't I get light headed. I avoid exercise if I have had an episode in the last 12 hours as it generally wipes me out anyway. I guess what I am saying is do what you can and enjoy it, the condition does limit our life's but it doesn't have to destroy it.
Hi - I have never let this get the better of me, just a bit wary of turning the heat up a bit. I also have a high HR but dont suffer the intermittent attacks like you do (thankfully). Its good to know othe reople carry on too Many thanks
Hi there, I am now in normal rhythm since end June when I had my 3rd cardioversion. I also have persistent AF when it comes back, meaning once it starts, that’s it, it’s continuous until I have a cardioversion. I continued to run when in AF, but was running a good 45-90 sec slower per km. After the CV’ s it takes me a few days to feel normal (not better, I feel better pretty much immediately but by normal I mean used to the new rhythm and feelings) and I’m suddenly running much more strongly and easily. I also cycle and do the club rides on a Sunday where I regularly ride 55-60 miles.
I’m also 56 btw.
My EP told me to carry on running and cycling, and just listen to my body.
Please bear in mind that this applies to me and my EP knows my background and measures etc (I’ve had a few echo cardio grams and an MRI to check my EF) so please check your own situation with your specialist before changing any exercise regimen.
When I'm monitored in hospital I have brief traces of atrial flutter. I've given up running but I use a Concept 2 rowing machine to cover between 5km and 12km. I watch ny heart rate as once it gets into the 170s it can jump to 180s or higher. I use a Polar H10 chest strap with a Polar Vantage M monitor as they don't appear to be affected by my heart rhythms. I ran, cycled and did Spin classes from theage of 30 until my late 60s when a stroke that left me partially unsighted made it inadvisable. If possible have a Bruce Protocol test and discuss the results with an Electrophysiologist and, with your GP if they know you well. Discuss with them the maxium heart rate that you should use. At age 72 my agreed maximum heart rate is 180bpm.
Ah a Cardioversion - there's that great video of a guy having one..very jealous!! I'm apparently stuck with my AF - hence permanent rather than persistent, though that does sound like splitting hairs. Thanks for the info - much appreciated - best of luck.
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