Permanent AF

[Mabal]

Morning.

Please can anyone tell me how they manage being in permanent AF, exercising ect

I’m taking highest dose Bisoprolol/Apixaban and just started Digoxin as felt SOBOE

[cicek]

I am in persistent AF and have been for a while now. Also I take full dose of Bisoprolol 10mg and Flecainide. Was advised to have cardioversion but rates went down a little. Still at 150 bpm if I move around much especially walking uphill. Fortunately I have an appointment to see the Cardiologist/EP Specialist on 6th August so may find out more then. If cardioversion is still recommended that's what I will do. Good luck.

[Mabal in reply to cicek]

I have appointment with Cardiologist on 6th Sept. My heart rate fluctuates a lot Thankyou for you reply and good luck

[Desanthony]

Are you on bisoprolol and digoxin? Best time to take these are in the evening, so that hopefully any fatigue will be over in the morning and you will be able to cope during the day. I have managed to do most of the things I usually do but have to take it easier. I do go to the gym but only use resistance weight machines as don't want to over do it by cycling or using treadmill and go for an hours brisk walk every day. If I feel breathless just go slower. It may be worth investing in a heart monitor with wrist worn read out and chest strap similar to the one I wear to the gym and keep heart rate under 120. What would be good is if you could get on a cardiac phase 3 rehab course at a local physioitherapy department or gymnasium as that would definitely help - don't know if anywhere has started doing them yet but ask to be referred.

[Mabal in reply to Desanthony]

Thankyou. I do wear a watch that keeps a check on my HR, its all over the place but ive now learnt to pace myself. Doesn't your HR go above 120 sometimes ?

What is your HR range ?

I have an appointment with Cardiologist beginning of Sept so hopefully ill be referred to physio/gym

Thankyou

[Desanthony in reply to Mabal]

No I manage to keep it below 120 it very rarely goes over. I have persistent AF so probably different if you have paroxysmal AF as your HR can be very erratic.

[Desanthony in reply to Mabal]

Have you been referred to an electrophysiologist?

[Mabal in reply to Desanthony]

I'm just waiting on my appointment with cardiologist. Had a echocardiogramI'm in persistent AF

Who does referral to electrophysiologist ?

I'm hoping my appointment will clear up all my questions ect

Do you get symptoms ?

[Desanthony in reply to Mabal]

Yes symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath - especially at night. I asked my cardiologist to refer me to the EP who was in her team though I had already got a private referral from my GP to the same EP previously.

[Snookersteve]

Hi Mabal welcome to the forum. It would help if you could give some info about yourself eg your age and your usual rate of exercise. There is obviously a big difference between a fit active person of 40 with a healthy weight and lifestyle and a sedentary person of 80 who is overweight.

If you are active and are used to exercising (at any age) then you should be ok to exercise moderately. This means you should be able to talk when exercising without being out of breath. When I was in AF I used a rowing machine and an exercise bike and with moderate effort my maximum heart rate (bpm) was about 140 with an average of about 115 to 120 but I was not out of breath. Jogging was out of the question as I soon reached 160 bpm. Since I had a successful Cardioversion in April doing the same (if not slightly more intense exercise) the rate is max 105 and average 90 which is obviously a massive improvement and I can go jogging again.

I notice that you have an appointment to see a cardiologist, however, do you know whether this person is also an Electrophysiologist (EP) because in the case of AF an EP is the expert in heart rhythm abnormalities. If you can't get to see an EP in a reasonable time frame then it is worth going to see one privately if you can.

How long have you been in AF? If only for a few weeks/months then there is every possibility that you could get back into sinus rhythm (SR) with a Cardioversion (CV) (possibly with or without the use of Flecainide for a couple of weeks before the CV). It is preferable to get back into SR especially if you are relatively young and your heart is otherwise sound (the echocardiogram will advise on the function of your heart).

I can recommend a book "The Afib Cure" by John D. Day and T. Jared Bunch who are both very experienced EPs in the US. It tells you everything you need to know about AF and gives loads of useful common sense advice. I have found this book invaluable. You can either download it on Amazon or buy it in physical copy.

If there is one thing I have found about AF then it is that you have to actively manage the condition yourself eg by lifestyle changes. It is no good just relying on doctors and the NHS because they simply do not have the time to spend with AF patients to explain all the intricacies about this condition.

Steve.

[Mabal in reply to Snookersteve]

Hi Steve, I’m 54 have been in AF since May. So all very new to me.

I haven’t tried much exercise much yet but plan to.

My left ventricle is also pumping slightly slower than it should but everything else is fine.

Thankyou for your help

I will buy that book

[Snookersteve]

Hi Mabal, so you're relatively young as far as AF is concerned and don't really want to be in AF for the rest of your life if you can avoid it. I am 69 and didn't accept being in AF permanently and had to be pro active about seeing an EP privately. My GP was happy to let me stay in AF but I wasn't!

If you're not used to exercise then build up gradually and keep an eye on your maximum and average heart rates.

I was in AF for 9 months and then had a Cardioversion (preceded by flecainide) and went back into SR at the first attempt. I would have had my Cardioversion sooner had it not been for Covid. A Cardioversion is absolutely nothing to worry about as you are under a short term general anaesthetic and are not aware of anything. If you have the option of a Cardioversion then go for it as soon as possible, as the success rate is better the less time that you have been in AF.

The book is brilliant I have read it twice and am trying to put as many of the suggestions into practice as possible.

Good Luck, Steve

[Mabal in reply to Snookersteve]

Thankyou I will order the book. And Thankyou for your excellent advice. When I go for my appointment I will be asking about having a cardioversion, no I don’t want to be in AF any longer.

I’m lucky I can work from home, so will have time for a nice walk

Thankyou Steve

[captainKFF in reply to Mabal]

Hi, if your in permanent Afib what is the range of your heart rate when at rest? And does it affect your quality of sleep?

[Mabal in reply to captainKFF]

Hello, my sleep is good it used to effect the early mornings but not any more. My HR isn’t so bad now at rest probably ranges from 65-90

[dizzielizzie1 in reply to Mabal]

Hi Mabal-I'm 70 and have had AFib for 8 years . In Feb 2020 I developed Persistent AFib. Due to covid everything was held up, but in May this year I had the cardioversion and I am once again in NSR. It's wonderful! My BP is 117/60 and my pulse rate is about 57. I know it may not last , but if you get the chance to have the cardioversion, go for it. If my AFib returns I have been told I could have an ablation. Good luck. Liz

[Mabal in reply to dizzielizzie1]

Thankyou

[Idahohorse]

Naval, I am not a Dr. so just take this as conversion. If you’re pulse rate is at 150 I would be skeptical to advise you on any form of exercise. My question is why so long until your appointment (August 6th). AND if you have a constant pulse rate of 150 have you been to either a Dr. or an emergency ward? Not trying to alarm you. I too had such an issue with pulse rate of 162 due to Afib. I was put on a high dose of Amiodarone which brought my vitals back into an acceptable rhyme. I just want your physician to be aware of your numbers.