Exercise in AFIb ??

[mjm1971]

So I have no symptoms while in AFIB other than slightly light headed at times

So should I go on long walks while in AFIB or just relax until I’m out etc .

What do you guys do ?

Thanks

Matt

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Matt

I don't think it's a good idea to put your heart under too much strain when in AF, especially if you feel a bit light headed, though sitting around doesn't do any good either! I once went into AF before doing a long walk with a friend. I drove to the start of the walk thinking if I still felt bad I wouldn't do it, but being in good company soon took my mind off what my heart was doing and I forgot all about it and did a long very hilly coastal walk.

Having a choice I think I'd potter at home and do the walk when back in sinus rhythm. How long do your attacks last for?

Jean

[mjm1971 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Anywhere from and hour to 48 hours . But like I say no symptoms so feel guilty compared to others on here

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to mjm1971]

How long have you had AF?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to mjm1971]

I've had AF for 16 years and have had a mixture of attacks some which left me struggling to stay conscious, others too tired to walk from one room in my house to another and now I'm able to do whatever I want including long walks (even though I'm now in constant AF). I also had an underactive thyroid, didn't know and blamed my extreme tiredness on AF.

[mjm1971 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago , found I had it by accident , but looking back I can pinpoint some incidents that were more than likely due to AF . All new for me but thanks to this forum I’m coming to terms with

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to mjm1971]

Yes, I've always found great comfort talking to members here - people who really understand just what it's like to have AF. The most important thing to remember is it's highly unlikely to kill you and changing your diet to a more plant based and additive free one, can make a huge difference. Best wishes.

[Janith in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Omg … the instant l go into afib … l get my bag and head for the emergency room … l am very symptomatic and it terrifies me. The hospital is 10 minutes away and they take me immediately.

[BobD Volunteer]

Generally unless you are dizzy or have chest pain exercise is fine provided that you can do it and talk normally at the same time. A nice relaxing walk in good company should be fine.

[baba]

If you are "feeling lightheaded" a long walk alone is not a good idea. If you have company it should be ok.

[Cumbremar5]

My doctor told me to rest and take a bisoprodol makes sense really. Works for me but then we're all different what works for one doesn't for another.

[Izzle]

I've had PAF for 25 years with increasing frequency over that time. My recent average is 6 days in NSR then 5 days out of rhythm. At aged 77, an ablation carries more risks and since I tolerate PAF quite well, all my medical advisors strongly suggest I try to live as normal a life as possible. A moderately healthy diet and exercise when HR is low enough to not get light headed.

I try to do exercise for at least an hour daily including basic yoga and walking. One thing I've found is, that for me, exercise in the primary trigger to restore NSR.

On my daily ½ hour walk around the village there is a 1in 8 zig-zag hill just 60m long, at the top of which on several occasions my HR is back in rhythm. An easy ride on my e-bike is another activity to do the trick. And yet another is making love (even at 77). During PAF episodes I can usually also mow the lawn although that hasn't done the restoration job, yet.

I think you can see the formula for me is any moderately vigorous form of exercise is possible. But, listen to your body particularly for any light headedness when exercise is obviously being less tolerated.

[Cha275rL in reply to Izzle]

Good for you Izzle. I’m a year younger and can identify with you on most of these things. If it helps, do it.

[bassets]

Izzle, thank you for taking the time to write this comment which I have found useful as I'm sure mgm1971 will.

[McIvor]

I'm nearly four years in persistent AF / AFL. It was flutter for over two years and then changed to AF. Confirmed by lots of ECGs and Holter Monitor's. I do exercise every day.

Moderate bike riding and walks. Sometimes swimming for half an hour. In the hot sub tropical summers long steep hills in the bush are more of a challenge.

You should check your heart rate at rest and during exercise. Since you are asymptomatic it could well be that your AV node is slow conducting. With other words it works like a "brake".

The high frequency impulses from the atria will then be reduced to fairly normal levels.

I have such a condition and therefore can't feel AF.

Or if this is not the case you don't notice the erratic behavior of the ventricles in AF. Then the heart rate has to be controlled by medication to get it down under 100/min better 90/min at rest. Maybe the fast heart rate is the reason for light headed or to many long pauses?

[mjm1971 in reply to McIvor]

Hi Melvor

My resting HR is around 52 and quite often drops into the 40's . playing golf yesterday it went up to 145bpm and i was in AF so i stopped walking for a bit it drops to under 100bpm at no time did i get lightheaded or feel faint so i carried on . can you explain more about the slow conducting AV node please and the reason you cant feel your AF

[McIvor in reply to mjm1971]

A slow conducting AV node is an AV "block". Here the word "block" is not really accurate because a real block of a certain grade can be a big problem. When I had flutter my heart rate was usually around 60. With a normal functioning AV node the heart rate would be

around 130/ min. The AV node will 'block" the atrial frequency of (i.e.) 260/min to 130/min ventricle rate. Often the flutter atrial rate is higher and varies. It can be around 300/min and the ventricles will contract around 150/min then. That is the usual 1:2 conduction when the node works normal. I have a 1:4 conduction and sometimes a 1:3 conduction ( 1:3 means a heart rate around 85/min when the atrial frequency is 260/min).

When in AF the atrial "speed" is much higher and changes more often. The AV node can adjust and "blocks" even more.

Now I have AF and my heart rate is still normal around 60/min. But in the atria the chaotic "fireworks" go on.....

I think its a good idea to see an EP. I would asked for a Holter Monitor ( 24 hours ECG or longer).

Because your heart rate often drops in the 40's that could be a sinus node issue.

[mjm1971]

thanks to all for the replies again , this AF is soooooooo individual to us all but all your snippets certainly help

[Omniscient1]

I'm in permanent af and was diagnosed as such, asymptomatic otherwise, and I realise that being asymptomatic means I avoid the trauma of periodic af episodes. On excercise, I think for many reasons we need to keep going if possible. I have always (but in and off) been a runner (possibly why I have this in the first place) but even now go on weekend trots round.

On feeling light headed, this may be a consequence of medicine, so check. I took something I think it was when I was on clopidogrel ( which I was on for a while) made me light headed sometimes.

Best of luck, Gary

[Steve112]

Never underestimate the good that gentle exercise can do for the mind and body ..my self approaching 66 I walk briskly the same route in all weathers and find myself getting quite competitive trying to improve my previous times ..I wear a Fitbit which gives me an indication of heartbeat which can reach 131bpm at times but returns quickly to around 65bpm when home..I have discussed this with my cardiologist concerned am I doing the right thing or causing any harm who said it was fine to carry on all the time I could but don’t over do it. It’s important to listen at all times to our body I’m not sure I would be too keen if I was feeling lightheaded but in these unprecedented times have found it a great help with my general wellbeing and mental health.

Stay Well

[Jajarunner]

Exercise is recommended for Afib but obviously you have to tailor it to your situation and how it makes you feel. Personally I can barely move when I've got Afib but others can function fully, it's very variable.

[Jajarunner]

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Here's some reliable info for you. Good luck

[MarkS]

I used to play hockey every week. I also had AF every 3 days for 1 day. I continued playing hockey if I was in AF as I couldn't let the others down. It was OK, being in defence I hung back a bit more and didn't make forays up the pitch. It kept me fit and I think if you're fit then AF is a lot more asymptomatic.

[Snowgirl65]

I've found that light exercise (housework, light gardening) while in a-fib seems to stop the episode faster than otherwise. If anything, it takes my mind off it, which as many of us know, worrying makes it worse.