exercising with palpitations

[10gingercats]

Is there any harm in doing simple home exercises while having palpitations or better not to do so?

[Hidden]

It doesn’t sound like a good idea. Generally deep breathing, drinking water and doing anything possible to relieve stress is recommended. I suppose light exercise might contribute to stress relief so I guess it’s up to you........

[10gingercats in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I am going to be in touch with GP. I was walking for exercise during lock down and much more before that.Trouble started in Nov. and Dec. I was fine in jan. and early Feb. but now have a few problems re. cardiac. Seeing cardiologist next week...it is more than 'plumbing'.

[Finvola]

I think it depends on what the home exercises are and how strenuous, what the palps are, how you feel before, during and after the mild exercise and what your doc has advised. With ectopics, I have been able to stop them by taking a walk or similar but I'm fairly certain that's because my concentration on them has been lifted.

The problem I can see with certain home exercises is that some put pressure on the chest and involve movements which may aggravate the palps. I agree with Flapjack about stress relief.

[10gingercats in reply to Finvola]

thank you.I have a bad few months on/A and E and AAU at the John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford.I was in perm a fib. for years with no problems but things have changed a lot.....long story .It has been a frightening time.Exercises would be senior seated boxing,stretching and things like that.

[JaneChapple in reply to 10gingercats]

Have you had a thyroid check? Beimg under or over can cause palpitations and low T3 can affect the heart?

TSH, FT4,FT3,TPO,Tgab antibodies, Vitamin D, B12, Ferritin (iron), full iron panel, folate but sadly docs will often only check TSH. Its surprising how many doctors and even carxiologists dont seem to connect thyroid problems to the heart. Even 8f you dont feel you have a thyroid problem its woeth checking out your thyroid status with GP..

You can get home finger prick tests feom Medichecks who do offers on Thursdays if doc wont agree, or MonitorMyHezlth for TSH, FT4 and FT3 for £29.

Vitamin levels also need to be optimal.

If you so get it checkwd make sure not to accept normal over the phone and adk for copies of results with ranges which you could then post on here.

Hope you feel better very soon.

Jane

[10gingercats in reply to JaneChapple]

Thank you. Yes. long time thyroid problems have been 'sorted' and my thyroid meds. increased by hospital recently by 50%.

[JaneChapple in reply to 10gingercats]

Is your TSH near to 1. Most patients feel better when it is?😎

[10gingercats in reply to JaneChapple]

I have been checked several times recently at AAU and A and E so do not have the results either online or on paper.But the fact that the hospirtal increased my dosage of thyroxine by 50% indicates I needed it. I have taken 10mcg night and morning of T3 for years and took it solely for years before my Thyrone was prescribed . but I have become negligent about taking it recently due to 'too much on my plate' and I have been overlooking ' fringe meds. Just could't keep up with hospital meds,discussions and changes of rigime.

[BobD Volunteer]

Palipitations just means that you are aware of your heart. I think it depends on why you can feel it and what it is doing. Light exercise often helps by diverting attention and releiving stress but you must be able to do it and have a normal conversation at the same time.

[10gingercats in reply to BobD]

So many thanks Bob. I will test that out with long suffering husband!I have just come back from a 35 min stroll/walk with THE husband .He is a great support and that can make a difference as to how I can cope with the situation as it is at the moment. I can be a bit of a worrier.A good son is also going to drive down fromthe north to be with me at the cardiologt consultation.A good engineering brain has to be an assett.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to 10gingercats]

Absolutely. I always say it is important to have somebody with you at these times as we often go deaf as soon as the consultant starts talking!

My wife tends to find solutions rather than sympathy but often gets the cattle prod out and takes me for a walk. lol New Years Day-- two miles on sheet ice!!!!

[ETHEL103 in reply to BobD]

Surely only one person can see cardiologist at the present time. I'm seeing one next week and hubby has to stay in car

[10gingercats in reply to ETHEL103]

I have already had a telphone conversation with this cardiologist.....my son tuned in via a telephone link we set up via the hospital She agreed he could come to face to face consultation next week.You have to ask and suggest a reason why you want someone else there.I think it is a case of 'you don't ask, you don't get' but very politely!!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to ETHEL103]

OOps probably right in which case take a tape recorder.

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I've had continuous ectopic beats .... PVC's .... etc. Wore a heart monitor for 2 weeks. Cardiologist said there were no issues and just ignore them. Exercise was alright.

However, I felt them quite dramatically and it was very uncomfortable. I found 300 to 400mg of a triple magnesium formula twice a day healed my heart to normal rhythm within a week or so. They never did return. Very happy with that result!

I'd consult your Cardiologist .... and then try some magnesium. It's worth a try ......

[Ppiman]

I was told that, to some degree, palpitations (i.e. ectopic beats) occur naturally in everyone. If I didn't exercise while I was having them, I'd be seated much of the time. I gather, however, that if they increase during exercise, then that should be mentioned to a doctor.

I was also told that both atrial fibrillation and ectopic beats arise in the same region of the heart, close to the entrance to the pulmonary vein in the left aorta, and that there might be a link between the two.

I had a really noticeable one at the dinner table two days ago that made me feel momentarily weird - probably from anxiety! They aren't pleasant things when they catch you like that.

Steve

[10gingercats in reply to Ppiman]

These are 'violenet' and incopacitating.

[Ppiman in reply to 10gingercats]

The one I had was like that - more than that and I’d have been very worried. Yours must all be more like that one, or maybe a different kind of palpitation? What has your doctor said about what you have?

Steve

[10gingercats in reply to Ppiman]

I ssem to be living permanently with the paramedics responding to my dramas.

[Jajarunner]

Afib nurses told me to take it easy during palps, but obviously that's easier said than done if I was, for example, teaching an exercise class or out cycling.! I think common sense really,bit of yoga would be fine and it would depend on how you felt too. If you feel terrible best to rest if possible

[RoyMacDonald]

I never stopped exercising and I've had an arrhythmia since 2016. Since last November I've increased the amount of exercise to daily fast walks and cycle rides. I run my heart at 145 bpm out of arrhythmia and 190 when I'm in arrhythmia. I have a chronic back condition so I've always done back exercises as part of my getting up routine. I recently changed my diet to cut out foods with calcium as I've come to believe that we are not meant to cope with modern levels of calcium intake. I now have 66% less arrhythmias and am off all medication except for 5 mg of Apixaban.

So experiment but listen to your body and don't be afraid of the condition.

Good luck.

Roy

[Ianc2]

Bear in mind that your heart is a muscle and muscles have to be kept toned or they slowly waste away. Gentle walking along a flat path done on a daily basis will stop your heart deteriorating if it is done regularly. I have a permanently irregular heartbeat and will not go running up any mountains but I do go out every day for an hours walk and usually cover about 4 miles in that time. I am 76 and get lots of useless advice like sit down, take it easy, you are getting old, etc.

Take a walking pole with you and stop and have a breather if you get a set of palpitiations, take a phone and your husband, it will do him good. 35 minutes a day is a great start, keep at it.

[10gingercats in reply to Ianc2]

Thank you. I do walk most days for c half an hour,perhaps more. When I wrote I was refering to seated boxing tye exercises at home for seniors....so lifting arms and pussing out and down and up in the air so using chest mascles. I was not sure if that is 'safe' in palps.

[MarkS]

I carried on playing hockey for about 15 years when I had AF about 1 day in 3. I think exercise enables you to cope much better with AF.

[Tapanac]

When I was in hospital with tachycardia (palpitations) the doctor wouldn’t even let me walk to the toilet which was just along the ward (had to have a commode) so I personally think exercise isn’t advisable.