after a successful cardiac Ablation, I find myself scared to resume my previous somewhat strenuous physical activities such as spin distance

[marinator]

Do any of you have similar concerns, or guidance based on personal experience Dr.s seem to just tell me do what you feel is comfortable and don't over do it. I'm not sure what that is because I have a tendency to overdo things . Any thoughts

[BobD Volunteer]

Depends a) how brave you are and b) how long ago the ablation was.

In our fact sheet on recovery we suggest nothing for week one and not a lot more the second week with a very gradual build up ensuring that at all times you are able to exercise and talk at the same time. Remember that many people cause their AF by over exercise so one does need to consider life style choices. Exercise is good, over exercise is bad.

[marinator in reply to BobD]

my ablation was 6 weeks ago and fortunately No AFib since ,I went for the Ablation right away after my diagnosis ,so I caught it early.I appreciate your response,I’m just trying to figure out who I am after AFib And what I should and shouldn’t do I Always ate fairly healthy and exercise regularly which unfortunately didn’t help much ,so now am I better off taking it easy and not exercising which I enjoy?

[Buffafly in reply to marinator]

The British Heart Foundation has plenty of advice on exercising safely. If by exercise you mean moving your body to give your heart a light workout, while working on balance, coordination and keeping joints mobile that is fine - Tai Chi surprisingly is even good for the first one. But if you’re talking about anaerobic exercise where you really challenge yourself then you are asking for a life of AF. There’s a reason why retirement age used to be 60 years - manual workers were expected to die soon after that!

I hope you are still able to enjoy exercise and resist ‘overdoing things’, best wishes ❤️‍🩹

[marinator in reply to Buffafly]

thank you for your response and putting it into perspective for me I’m learning a lot

[Loafinabout in reply to marinator]

sounds like you over-excercised and your body is telling you that. I would say ignore your body’s message at your peril …..

[marinator in reply to Loafinabout]

starting to realize that thank you

[Desanthony in reply to marinator]

Start off slow and build up. Maybe start by going for walks - going gradually further and faster avoiding hills at first and slowly trying a walk with a hill. Everyone is different so its hard to give advice. Ask if there is a cardiac rehab class at your local gym and/or hospital and see if you can join that. You could also ask for help and advice from one of the instructors at your gym and maybe have some supervised exercise for a while there if there is nothing else available. Most of all don't overdo things. My wife found a post on fb a few years ago stating that A&E is full of older men who still think they can do the things they did at the same pace they did them 20/30 years ago.

[marinator in reply to Desanthony]

appreciate your response very helpful

[mjames1]

Really depends. Two or three 45 minute spin classes a week might be good. Two classes a day might not be. Like running moderately can be good, but training for and doing marathons might not be.

That said, six weeks isn't that long a time and personally I think I'd want to ease into things rather than going full speed at this point.

Exactly how much is too much down the road? Dr. John Mandrola, former long distance cyclist and also an afib patient himself, wrote a book, The Haywire Heart. He says he's asked that question a lot, but he doesn't have an answer for it.

Jim

[Foxey2]

This is exactly how I feel, I had my ablation October 2021 so nearly a year in, I used to run and cycle a lot, 3-4 times a week and now I feel a bit lost.

I do walk but it’s not the same, I’m 50 with a young child so feel like a big part of my life has been taken away as I’m now too scared to be as active as before in case it starts it all off again 😢

[marinator in reply to Foxey2]

I’m in the same boat ,but I’m much older I think the issue is not so much the age but adjusting into a new reality and realizing that major adjustments in daily physical activities have to be made .finding out what is safe to do and still makes you feel good about yourself

[Roto]

take your foot of the gas and ease yourself into it over time..what’s the rush ?

[marinator in reply to Roto]

agree no rush but it’s trying to fit into a new reality takes time and understanding which this group is helping me realize

[Loafinabout]

You say “…..because I have a tendency to overdo things”. I would say if you are aware you are overdoing things then you are getting that message from your body - I would advise you to listen to your body and let it be the moderator of your heart health

[marinator]

great feedback working on that adjustment this group is helpful thank you

[Speed]

Hi Marinator. Firstly I think us AFibbers are all different and there are few times one size fits all. However there are some general principles that apply across the board.

After an active adult life of occasional exercise and infrequent amateur sub 2hr half marathons I decided to do an Ironman triathlon before it was too late (was only just the right side of 50). A “finish” one followed a year later with an “improver” one had me doing long distances with some more intense training. 2 years after the 2nd one and still exercising but more moderately, I developed AFlutter. Both my parents had had AF though without needing any medical intervention but the general view was that the high levels of exercise had probably brought on my AFlutter.

Triggers for episodes were occasional binge drinking and / or a long training session, either on the day prior to an episode. Usually resolved by Flecainide PIP. 2 ablations later and AFlutter sorted but now have AF!

Episodes are subsiding over the 10 mths since my last Ablation for AFlutter and I’m now 7 weeks since the last episode. I continue to do moderate exercise (7 Mile runs / 30 mile rides up to 5 times per week - both steady and the very occasional HIT session) but for me, it’s about QOL and I may be sacrificing a little in the long term for better QOL now - I can’t imagine being sedentary. Both my cardiologist and EP are happy for me to continue but warn against increasing training levels, both distance, frequency and / or intensity. They recognise the importance to me for QOL.

It seems to be working for me at the moment and I have agreed with my EP that we will live with the PAF for now but another ablation is always there as an option. So the upshot is that exercise (long - > 2hrs / high intensity) likely a major contributor to getting AFl / AF but a more moderate level of exercise (sub 2hr and lower intensity) is not currently making an immediate adverse impact. Time may tell however on the longer term impact.

QOL quite good at present and it’s probably the time to stop chasing PBs anyway! Maybe build up slowly, listen to your body and monitor trends until you find the compromise you are most comfortable with.

Good luck and I hope you find a level that works for you.

[marinator in reply to Speed]

perfect, wow I’m sorry to say I’m glad I’m not alone very helpful comments

[Jajarunner]

yes, its natural to be nervous but your cardiologist knows you best. Take your time to build back to fitness before you start on more strenuous stuff. Im currently walking one min running one min,. Eight months after ablation three. Good luck

[marinator in reply to Jajarunner]

appreciate it,I’m seeing my cardiologist on the 20th of September

[Jajarunner in reply to marinator]

after I posted that I realised I was talking rubbish! My EP (all of them actually) said id be running after two weeks. It was more like 7, 10, 8 months. But what I meant was, if he is ok for you to do spinning then go with that WHEN the body is ready. My body was very slow!!!

[marinator in reply to Jajarunner]

got it

[2learn]

Hi, feel I'm in a similar situation. Had ablation then 3 wks later had a stroke and then 4 wks ago a TIA. Everyone says exercise is good but it feels like any exercise and I'm just waiting for another event. Lots recommend walking but with chronic knee arthritis thats a not easy.

[marinator in reply to 2learn]

I guess we are all trying to navigate hang in there

[MarkS]

The amount of exercise against benefit is a U shaped curve. The optimal level is around 75 mins/week for vigorous exercise and 150 mins for moderate exercise. You can double those before losing much benefit. But more than 150 mins per week of vigorous exercise is going to harm you. That level of exercise increases inflammation which is the underlying cause of AF.

[marinator]

appreciate it very helpful

[RoyMacDonald]

I do 3 x 1.5 hours a week at 180 watts output. (average 134 bpm max 154 bpm) The other 4 days I do less strenuous recovery exercises. All post major stroke. Haven't had an ablation though. Refused to have one. Preferred to tinker with my diet. Rarely have any AF events now. I'm 78.

All the best.

Roy

[marinator in reply to RoyMacDonald]

thx Roy

[johnMiosh]

Hi Marinator,

Excessive exercise is a major cause of AF, as many here have said. When I developed AF, I was terrified not that I was ill and could die of it, but that I would be unable to cycle. I had a hybrid ablation in 2017 and been AF and medication free ever since.

I have continued to cycle, but with the slower group in the club, on flatter roads and with a average speed 1.5 mph lower and a max HR 25 bpm slower than it used to be. No racing, or even pretend racing, no bulging eye sprints, but I am enjoying it every bit as much as before.

Take it steady, build up your level of fitness, but don't push it, you will be fine.

[Keano99]

hi Marinator,

I had a cryoblation in May and the v experienced Sister said I could play golf after 10 days, which I did. Since then I’ve played 2/3 times every week, the only prob I have is recovery, just feel in need of some rest the day after playing. I went back to the gym and was building up to where I was, pushed it a bit too hard sometimes and you sure know during the next day. I was about 2/3rds up to what I used to do on the stepper machine but golf has held me back😀…but with the weather worsening I will soon have a chance to get back in the gym routine. I’ve also been doing Pilates once a week for 6/7 weeks, boy does that highlight issues which I’m sure are ablation related my in my back, also got indigestion whilst doing it, prob oesophagus, ablation related, but I’ve stuck with it and I’m improving by the week…

[marinator in reply to Keano99]

good to hear thank you for your feedback I will proceed slowly and build up ,and I also feel like I have the same energy that I had before has that happened to you at any time in your recovery?

[Keano99 in reply to marinator]

yes, I do, it’s a bit confusing as with the Bisoprolol I wake up tired. I had an Echocardiogram in July and my LVEF is 58, but still have the recovery issue, hopefully that will wain….

[MrJD]

Hi.

Good post and question.

As always great responses to you.

I understand your POV.

I’m mid 40s. Normally well.

Contact sports (MMA) weightlifting and gym.

Sudden onset AF. Unexpected. Likely triggered by virus.

Echo reduced EF. Mri two weeks later improved EF. Reassuring.

Cardioversion. Amiodarone apixiban. Now three weeks post CV and still in sinus.

Prior to CV I was doing gentle weights at the gym whilst in AF. Walking but no running. Certainly no combat sports.

Post CV I felt better but there was no time frame specified about getting back to ‘normal’. I wanted exact days etc until I could do things - that’s how I process things

Everyone is different (age sex Medical history etc) and the consensus on this forum was to allow time to pass post procedure. I followed this consensus, but it was tough

I too have a tendency to overdo it and I know work wise I am not pacing myself but I am now gently lifting weights 60-70% effort and walking up to 7km/hr on running machine until further echo etc. still in sinus 3 weeks post CV

Psychologically I found it hard as in the back of my mind would I undo all the good work or make my heart worse so I fully get your perspective. There are no guarantees but you can’t wallow and not do what is important to you

Just go with how you feel and the lesson I have learnt from this group is that living life is the key and that you will get back to your normal life.

BW

J

[marinator in reply to MrJD]

thank you for your response,I have been adjusting mentally to my new situation and slowly coming to grips with it ,I’m learning just now at 68 that pushing yourself at an older age may not be beneficial,which is totally different than the way I’ve lived.On the positive side we are still here to talk about it,many before us had much worse outcomes and may not be here to talk about it.This group is helpful thx

[MrJD]

pleasure.

[Alldone]

Hi Marinator

I wanted to jump in on this one as I have felt the same as you.

I am 60 and up until my AF episode just over 2 years ago I would consider myself a fit person. I trained 5 times a week with running swimming and cycling. Nothing extreme but a half marathon runner at just over 2 hours.

I had my ablation 15 months ago and have ectopics and SVT runs but I am starting to think they were there before all of this and I managed to just ignore them somehow. I returned to walking a couple of days after ablation and have continued to do so. Running however, even though my EP and my cardiologist said it’s fine just not extreme, has been a different thing mentally.

I decided to do Pilates and a few light weights which has been very rewarding.

In the last month though I decided to give it a go. I started by counting steps, 400 walk 400 slow run and yesterday I managed to do 20 mins run in total by doing 5 mins run broken up 100 steps walking. It has actually been fine and feels great mentally. Aiming for 5k distance by Christmas.

I am not too sure why runners feel that if we don’t run then we are missing out, but we do. For me, I have always exercised and done the right thing health wise and I manage to get AF as my reward, how unfair is that? I look around me and try to balance that with how lucky I am health wise actually. That being said, I find it hard to accept that this is just “an electrical fault and my heart is fine “ as my wonderful cardiologist tells me! I am seeing him this evening as per my post yesterday and if that can be solved it would be great.

I hope this helps a bit but I fully understand your frustration.

[marinator in reply to Alldone]

it does help I appreciate your feedback