Exercise after ablation

[Sutty50]

Hi all,

After much deliberation and a few delays I'm now a week and a half away from my first ablation. I have to say I'm feeling a bit nervous about it, but I know it's the right thing to do. I know everyone's different but I just wondered what other people's experience was of being able to get back to exercising? I'm 56 and I've managed to build up a reasonable level of fitness, generally doing 2 6 mile runs in the week and around a 10 mile run at the weekend. I also walk on the days I don't run. I'd like to get back to exercise as soon as possible but obviously don't want to overdo it too soon....

[Hidden]

If you look carefully at the posts in this Forum, you will realize that there is almost nothing but runners, cyclists and all sorts of people struggling to remain "fit". In my case also. So, if the exercise has brought you where you are, do not haste to continue with the exercise. If you ever got burned on the skin, you must remember how long it has taken to heal (6 months in my case lately). So, please, be patient and let your small ticker recover from the ablation before you continue with exercise. Be well!

[Sutty50 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Steelheart

[jondeanp]

Slowly, slowly!!I didn’t do anything at all for 2 weeks. Literally nothing apart from watching TV.

I then began introducing exercise a few mins per day. I have a running machine but I just used to do a brisk walk on it for 5 mins and slowly increased over days and weeks to increase the pace and the duration.

During this time I also did some weight bearing exercises with dumbbells and body weight. Initially only a few reps with light weight and again slowly increasing.

Eventually I introduced a HIIT type circuit, but at a pace I felt I could tolerate rather than a true full intensity.

Listen to your body. Don’t do anything that you know could push you even close to your limit.

For me it was a slow progress but I would rather take my time than be back to square one.

Best of luck

[Sutty50 in reply to jondeanp]

Thanks

[Jajarunner]

I'm your age and have posted regularly about my recovery. You might find it helpful to read them, but its taken a long time....

[Sutty50 in reply to Jajarunner]

Thanks jaja, I'll have a look through later.

[CliveP]

I was the same age as you when I had my ablation 4 years ago. I was keen to return to running but also concerned about a sustainable return. I took the advice given here and took an extremely cautious approach. Only sitting for a week then short walks (shuffles really) which slowly built up to short walks at normal speed.

I did nothing that elevated my heart rate for 3 months.

At 3 months I started jog/ walking (really slowly) . I wore a chest strap heart rate monitor and kept it really low. I think my first run/ walk was a km in about 12 mins.

I slowly built up duration and pace over time.

FF to now. Depending on fitness, I ‘m faster than I was pre AF. I run 50-70 km a week, train normally and run races regularly (not this year though☹️). I’m not the fastest in my age group but I can keep them in sight

I can’t stress enough how important it is to be cautious in your return. I’m convinced that it helped me to recover as I have.

Good luck!

[Sutty50 in reply to CliveP]

Thanks Clive, 3 months is a long time! Sounds like it's paid off though

[CliveP in reply to Sutty50]

It certainly felt like a long time but I treated it like I do with other injuries. Sometimes the fastest way to get beck to full fitness is to do nothing.Running aside, I should say that I’ve been completely AF free for over 4 years now while people I know who rushed back to training haven’t had such a successful outcome.

[Sutty50 in reply to CliveP]

Thanks again Clive, I'm going to find it hard doing nothing, but it'll keep me going knowing it'll be worth it in the long term

[Sutty50]

Thanks all, I will take it slowly... I've just had a call from the hospital and they have a cancellation so I'm in this Friday! Very nervous now!

[LordGabriel]

Good Luck, I’m 4 weeks out now! I was very scared and nervous but it went ok! ❤️❤️

[Sutty50 in reply to LordGabriel]

Thanks LordGabriel, I'm sure it'll be fine and at least I haven't got long to worry about it!

[Madscientist16]

I am about 1 year post-ablation and 54 years old. I have always been quite active but not an extreme athlete. I starting doing some stretching after two weeks. I also went back to work full time after two weeks which included a two hour commute. I was pretty tired at the end of the day. I was doing some light walking and recumbent bike by one month. Then as I increased my cardio, I added some weights and strength training. I would say I was back to my full usual work out by 5 months. I also found out that longer sessions were better than more intense ones. Go slow.

[Ianc2]

Look forward to Saturday morning. Another life will come together and you will slowly but surely improve. I think CliveP has it right. Nice and easy does it, enjoy gentle exercise, nothing too exciting and watch out for the cream cakes.