Exercise and Afib

[Elsie1955]

I'm sure you all already know this but I discovered this recently.

My cardiologist sent me to cardiac rehab because I have afib and some wall weakening in the heart. The idea is to strengthen the heart muscle to be able to handle any arrhythmia that may come my way.

I always thought that talk about exercise and high blood pressure and such was flooey sent out to get us all to buy gym memberships or something but since I've been doing this I've noted marked improvements in blood pressure, weight loss, in my ability to walk for sustained periods of time, and sleeping better!

So it wasn't flooey.

I do this workout three times per week:

20 minutes on the treadmill at 3.0 elevation and 2.0 speed.

10 minutes on the recumbent bike at resistance level 4

and 10 minutes on the NuStep at resistance level 4 also.

And on the in-between days, I do a 1/2 hour walk with my doggie.

Out of curiosity though, what does everyone else do for exercise with afib?

[Hidden]

I do something very similar- like you every other day with a few light weights thrown in for good measure. Just enough to get a wee bit sweaty but never overdoing it.

On the in between days I walk our dogs and if it’s raining I walk them every day ( she doesn’t like getting wet!).

If I’m bored I go for a gentle walk with a couple of bricks in my small rucksack … down to the village for a decaf coffee and a chat with anybody.

Once a week a mindfulness yoga session.

If there are any gaps there’s always something to do in the house or garden.

I still manage to fit in a couple of books a week and a little bit of selected television.

The net result is low bp, weight stable, reduced AF, less aches and better sleep, less anxiety etc.

A year ago I was very different but I just got up and got mobile …

I appreciate not everyone can move around like I do - I’m making hay while the sun shines in the belief it’ll keep the worst at bay as long as possible.

I’m making myself a moving target for death …. I hope …. and if I’m wrong I’ll die healthy 😂

[Elsie1955 in reply to Hidden]

You have a very good idea! I've never been a get up and move around person, except when dancing but around here I've not found a place to go dance. But the get up and move principle has helped

[LadyLawson]

I agree that appropriate exercise helps. I live in Scotland and I walk every day making sure there is some height gain to get my HR up. I do an average of 2-3 miles. It’s good for mental health too. I think being outdoors, if possible, helps. Keep exercising!

[Mitcham]

I fully agree exercise is beneficial I am a 67 year old male I would suggest gradually introduce some weight training. I have had four ablation over the last eleven years and still train it helps me physically and mentally good luck

[Jajarunner]

Yep, exercise works miracles! I'm an exercise instructor specialising in cardiac, pulmonary and cancer rehab and clients with medical problems. Ive seen people's lives transformed and finally our health service is beginning to realise and is now funding our work at the local leisure centre! Well done to you xxx

[Cha275rL]

I walk 2-3 miles five days a week, and that seems to keep the weight down. I used to go swimming 3 times a week, and had done for 50 years, then I had a small TIA in the pool and never been back since. Put me right off that did. I wish it hadn’t, but it has. Good luck.

[Sacstate]

Hi Elsie1955,

I’m 76 a year old man diagnosed with paroxysmal AFib last year. I believe that the right amount and intensity of exercise for each of us is just as important as sleep, diet, and anxiety control in keeping the worst consequences of AFib at bay. I have always been very active, so the recent AFib diagnosis stunned me and sent me wringing my hands straight to the sofa for a short while. I was terrified of doing my usual exercise activities until I began reading these blogs and asking my cardiologist some specific questions about it. One question I asked was, “can I hike uphill at an 8,000-foot elevation in the Sierras with a medium pack?” His answer was, “certainly,” though I wouldn’t choose to get that ambitious at the moment. So then I slowly but surely returned to my current exercise regimen which is: walking at a brisk pace at least a couple miles most every day, riding my bicycle at a moderate pace 15 or 20 miles a couple times a week most weeks, lap swimming the crawl stroke fifty 25-yard laps twice a week, and attending a 45-minute strength (with some light weights) and balance class at the nearby senior center here in Sacramento three times per week. Of course, there are days now and again when I don’t feel like exercising, and so I don’t and instead work in our backyard veggie garden (which is just as therapeutic). But mostly, the more I exercise, moving moderately and sensibly, the better I feel, physically and emotionally.

[Elsie1955]

Its like going up a low incline in a neighborhood... a gentle incline but I guess a 25% angle?

[BobbyGee]

I am a Permanent A-fibber. I make sure I do some exercise every day, but this has been not much more than a 2-mile walk on level land. Your exercise programme sounds as if I ought to aim for something like it. it's encouraging that your routine has brought health benefits. Thanks for sharing, and good luck!