Exercise to reduce HR

[Rocket123]

Hi,

I don't normally post much but really enjoy the site and information it provides.

I have had Afib for around a year and half now having had one ablation and awaiting second hopefully soon.

I go into Afib around twice a week and usually rest and last all day. But today i went into Afib and rather than rest did some weights, bench pressing.

Within 40 minutes my HR went normal.

Why did this happen?

[john-boy-92]

Sometimes it will come and go. Yesterday I did 10k on an indoor rowing machine. After warm up my heart rate was normal at 140 to 160 but there were some short spikes to 180 to 194 driven by AF. You will get use to your body's reaction to exercise and AF.

[Rocket123 in reply to john-boy-92]

Thanks, its strange how i went back into NSR

[BobD Volunteer]

Who knows?. AF is such a mongrel condition few people have it the same or even react the same.

Some people do find exercise (in moderation ) can flip their heart back into NSR whilst others would go into AF during exercise. You won't be the first to use exercise in this way. Just make sure you listen to our body and don't over do it.

[Rocket123 in reply to BobD]

Its strange how your heart can react to different things on different days, i know today it put me back into NSR which fascinates me.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Rocket123]

I wonder if what you were doing took your mind off your heart. Many times, my heart rate has gone back to normal because my mind was taken off of it.

Pulling brambles up from the garden has sometimes kicked mine off as has swimming. As Bob has said, we all react so differently.

If ever I've worn a heart monitor I've always felt extremely well, could have climbed mountains on those days! Now why is that?

Jean

[Elli86]

That’s interesting mate 🤔 I’d be interested in the answer myself. You’ve done well to get an ablation having only had AF for a year and a half so congrats for that. You’ve had it around same time as me. How old are you mate?

[Rocket123 in reply to Elli86]

Just 58, always exercised since teens, probably what's caused it, i try and exercise with weights and treadmill 5 times aweek

[Elli86 in reply to Rocket123]

Do you get a lot of inflammation by any chance? Either muscular or gastrointestinal? Or both?

[Rocket123 in reply to Elli86]

No never, is that common

[Elli86 in reply to Rocket123]

I think it’s what causes mine. Not 100% though. Interested to see how many people, if any, have the same issue

[purpleswimmer in reply to Elli86]

Hi. I get inflammation in my stomach which causes me to burp a lot. I reckon it is caused by my meds and take lansoprazole for it. Helps a but but worry it causes my tinnitus to flare up so keep coming off it. Don't think it is a great one to be on long term anyway . Xx

[Elli86 in reply to purpleswimmer]

Hi swimmer. My inflammation has been ongoing for 9/10 years. Only had AF for just over a year now so not been taking meds. Not sure what causes mine although attempting to exercise too heavily could be a culprit. 🤔 my gut seems to be inflamed permanently so something else going on internally I’m sure

[BigDunc]

Hi Rocket I’m similar I go into AF every 7-8 days (usually when I’m asleep) and on the 2nd day I do some exercise cycling or walking and always flip back into Sinus Rhythm if I exercise on the day I go into AF doesn’t work weird. I’ve trained all my life and before I had my recent Ablation my resting heart rate was in the low 40’s. From what I’ve read could be Vagal AF I meet my Electrophysiologist this week to discuss my Ablation will raise with him and if I learn anything will share.I mentioned in a recent post I’m currently listening to a book called the Haywire Heart nearly finished you might find it interesting as it’s about AF and athletes.

Good luck

[MerryMyrtle in reply to BigDunc]

Hi BigDunc, could you tell me how you know you are in af during sleep please, do you wear some kind of device at night? I don't feel I'm getting it much at all during the day any more, but sometimes feel a bit fluttery when I wake up so would be very interested in being able to check whether or not I'm going into af at night. I do also seem to get palpitations when I eat a lot, I feel it is definitely connected with digestion.

Many thanks and best wishes with everything.

David

[BigDunc in reply to MerryMyrtle]

Hi Myrtle I wear a Fitbit watch to bed and I don’t always feel AF at night as my heart rate stays fairly low during the night. The Fitbit is fairly accurate and it won’t analyse sleep the same when in AF.

My AF like yours is very much related to Gastric problems with links to the Vagal nerve

Hope this helps

[MerryMyrtle in reply to BigDunc]

Thanks BigDunc, which model Fitbit if you don't mind me asking, or do you feel any of them will analyse it ok? I'll stop asking questions now, I don't want to stress you out and bring on a bout of AF.

[BigDunc in reply to MerryMyrtle]

Hi Myrtle don’t worry 😉 about asking questions could do with a bit off stress in my life 😁Mine is a Versa 2 mid range I think but the model below will do the job. The face on the Versa 2 is a bit larger makes it easier too view as I use it whilst exercising although I’ve found that the heart rate monitor not as accurate with some exercises.

The next step up is the Apple Watch that also has ECG facility quite a bit more money though I also use the Kardia App and monitor which is great for both heart rate and ECG.

Hope this helps

[Padayn01 in reply to BigDunc]

Very good book, may I ask when was your abalation?

[BigDunc in reply to Padayn01]

Yeah sure I had the Ablation on the 1st of December last year. I’m afraid it appears not to have worked I’m very much the same as I was beforehand. I did have a previous Ablation 13 years ago that never really worked as I was on Flecainide that kept me in Rhythm.

See what the EP says this week

[Padayn01 in reply to BigDunc]

Oh sorry to hear that do you still follow an exercise regime? I take it your AF was caused by exercise?

[BigDunc in reply to Padayn01]

Yeah workout daily still and pretty sure poor training regime caused my AF particularly years of drinking alcohol on Friday/Saturday night and then running or cycling over the weekend. Probably in constant state of dehydration.

[Frances123]

Many years ago I bought one of those mini exercise trampolines. About the third time of using it I went into AFib so stopped immediately. A few months later I went into Afib in middle of night (usual for me) and happened to notice the trampoline so I thought if it works one way then maybe it will work other way. So 2:30am yours truly jumped up and down on it about 6 times and it worked! Not sure a cardiologist or EP would advocate it as a new remedy though. I got rid of trampoline as didn’t want to put myself back in Afib willingly. As has been said, we all act differently and what works for some doesn’t for others. I’ve also noticed mine has changed over the years to how it reacts to different things. So pleased for you that it didn’t last. xxx

[Tomred]

Hi rocket i normally lay of thweights when in afib thinking its too much pressure on the heart but im going to try this let us know if you have the same experience again i have a friend who terminates episodes by going for a good run

[Snowgirl65]

I read that paroxysmal a-fib, i.e. the type that self-corrects without cardioversion or such, reacts well to exercise. I've tried it for mine, and indeed after doing a few rounds on my elliptical, it works -- but not all the time for me. Everyone is different.