Update to Can exercise cause an ablation to fail?

[kkatz]

Just an update guys.Hope people are interested. Did the excerise class on Wednesday no probs.Hr not over 110 .Felt as if I hadn't done thing until a couple of hours later.Some chest discomfort but vitals all fine.Had a longish crown bowls match yesterday which was ok.No need to rest & virtually no breathlessness.Ok afterwards too.Have a team cup match tonight so must bowl.Complete rest Saturday & Sunday & no bowls till Wednesday.Excercise class monday.It is not the planned activities that are the problem .It is the ones that are unplanned.

But heart is behaving.

[mjames1]

I don't know the date of your ablation or the specifics, but the general answer is that too much vigorous exercise, too soon after an ablation, can cause it to fail. In fact, you shouldn't do much more than is required for daily chores for the first couple of weeks.

I guess you will have apply this principle against the importance of these team events and exercise classes.

Jim

[kkatz in reply to mjames1]

It is now 8 weeks.arrythmia nurse says ok but I am taking it easy

[Hidden in reply to mjames1]

Hi Jim, Interested in this as I'm a recreational runner and having a ablation soon. Are there any studies that you know of about this? Can't think of an obvious reason why early exercise would necessarily cause an ablation to fail, but I'm open to finding out more about this.

[mjames1 in reply to Hidden]

Start with the groin incisions. No lifting more than 10 pounds the first week. No exercise other than slow walking.Then gradually increase. Reason? You have a wound in the groin and don't want it to pop open. Then the heart. Your heart has been traumatized with burn marks. It has to heal. That's why there is the so called blanking period. That's why many of us remain on anti-arrythmic's for x months after an ablation, in order to give it a better chance of remaining in normal rhythm. I was told no exercise at all for the first two weeks and then start at 50 per cent, and gradually increase over a period of 2 months.

Jim

[dw98611 in reply to mjames1]

Yes I believe it can. I had a cryoablation Oct. 2022, and didn't feel 100% until about 6 months later. For the first 2 weeks, I had to take it really easy (light chores and slow walking only), then I gradually increased exercise. I restarted weight training after about a month, but started lighter and fewer sets than usual at first. I believe AFIB that occurs right after ablation is more of the androgenic kind (caused by stress and exercise as opposed to vagal AFIB which is the type I have).

[ruffity]

I assume it can, that's my excuse anyway.

Both of my AF episodes, both sorted with cardioversions, occurred due to physical and mental stress that I was aware of at the time, on top of a few sleepless nights. An electrocardiologist I chatted to a few times insisted that brisk walking was the best exercise for someone with a fussy heart, and I was happy not to doubt him.

[jeanjeannie50]

That's good to hear your heart is behaving kkatz, long may that continue. I think that sometimes the more we take our minds off of what our heart is doing, the better we are.

Jean

[kkatz in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes I agree but very hard post Ablation.In nsr for first time in a long time.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to kkatz]

How wonderful that must feel. I've been in constant AF for well over 3 years now. Fortunately my heart rate flips between 60 -90 which is no problem, sometimes it's a little higher if I've dared to move when my heart didn't want me to and that's usually late evening. Must be grateful that the awful days of a really fast heart rate and days in hospital are all behind me, hopefully!

How long were you in AF for and do you feel 'alive' again now?

[kkatz in reply to jeanjeannie50]

It is absolutely amazing the various things that are better but only 8 weeks post ablation so still worried it will fail and not fit as yet.2 years persistent.No high HR for while while persistent but excercise intolerance just got worse & HR up and down.The unpredictability from day to day difficult.Chest now feels much lighter.I sleep better.Even feet are better.

Hope it lasts but I would be happy to have another ablation if needed.

[DawnTX in reply to kkatz]

if that is the case about your NSR, I would walk on eggshells for a while as you were just informed you must heal. I just had what I hoped to be my last ablation It was my AV node. I will do nothing to mess this up. There is nothing more important to have stay stable. The trauma like any trauma needs time. I know that because you were feeling so good now compared to what you were you just want to get out and live life but go for the long-haul not the short sprint.

[kkatz in reply to DawnTX]

Dawn thanks for the concern.But we are all different.And I realize your need to be careful with all you have been through.Yes I am worried and being careful.Not sure where you have picked up "I was informed I needed to heal".I am 8.5 weeks post ablation now & I have checked with the Arrhythmia nurse & she said it was ok.I am doing less than half of what I used to do plus at a lower level.

[DawnTX in reply to kkatz]

you are probably much younger than me and I have my pacemaker plus tomorrow getting an echo because I do have heart failure at the doctors hoping has either stopped, or possibly even reversed. You sound as though you are being smart if you are doing half what you did just please be careful. Yes we are all different. I have six months it could be longer it could be less. My doctor was thrilled with my EKG. I just have some thing that needs tweaking. It might even be with meds now for the heart failure, I lost a year and a half of my life being unable to walk, etc.. My stamina needs to be built all over again I applaud you for being active and I don’t know what the game is that you play lol yes we are all different I say it all the time and I am not a doctor , I just advise like others have advised me. The healing situation with me also is about the leads until they are deeply embedded. Best of luck whatever you do.

[kkatz in reply to DawnTX]

Dawn I do think you have more reason to be careful than I do.Leads being imbedded is a really big thing.I think the worry with an ablation is that little scars need to form and if they don't the Af will break through.

I hope your recovery will continue.If it is any consolation we have members of our excercise class with heart failure although caught early,others with pacemakers and I met a guy recovering from a triple bypass.We can each take things at our own pace and it is health trained instructor supervised.

My worry was I would not be able to pace myself and I was dying to pick up weights but resisted.

Heart healthcare & knowledge has improved so much I hope you will be able to do something similar in the future.

Incidently I am actually a few years older than you.74 .

Take care.

Kathy

[DawnTX in reply to kkatz]

lol that is good to hear about the age lol definitely my leads are a big issue. I have a unique pacemaker and wiring. I was either swimming or going to the gym five days a week that did help me through everything because I still have muscle tone and surprise myself at the strength. I am already getting back. I am just a mess though lol I was supposed to have back surgery when I got to Texas but a fib decided it was in charge so until I can get cardiac clearance it has to wait so that also slows me as far as getting back in shape. I do believe, that 50 is the new 70 or whatever they say I don’t feel it and I don’t look it. I am not one of those miracle women who at 90 will be winning weight lifting awards lol just being fit and able to walk well again makes me happy. To be able to take my dog out and walk him on our property is a wonderful feeling. We have about an acre and we take our time. We feed the deer and more. I used to walk 5 miles a day and loved it to do what I can do right now makes me happy. I never thought I would be able to do it again. Until a fib hit I was so healthy. It was ridiculous. I still have most of my body parts, including my tonsils. I think you have that special, gene in you about working out and I envy you. I never had that. I do love to swim now and the sooner our pool gets put in the happier I will be thanks for your information we all have to work together.

[kkatz in reply to DawnTX]

No special gene .Probably the opposite.When hubby retired 10 years ago he decided we were going to get fit.We used to go to gym as well as excercise classes as well as bowls 5 days a week.Some things have stopped me like having an operation to clean out my carotid artery & of course Afib.Paroxsysmal for over 4 years but then switched in a day to persistent.That was 2 years ago.We can both do it.

[Singwell]

It sounds like an aggregate that leads to problems I.e. you do the class and are fine but don't factor in other things that might at present make you feel tired or stressed. Think about your 'daily loads and aim to stay in balance. This is something I've definitely had to learn to keep my heart calm over the last year since ablation. It honestly takes months. Enjoy the class but don't overdo other activities that day.

[DawnTX in reply to Singwell]

Keeping your heart calm mentally is very difficult. because we focus on it. Don’t keep checking your numbers unless you feel some thing is really off. I was driving myself crazy and my cardiac nurse told me don’t do it again. I have a pacemaker right now and they monitor it if there’s anything to be told they will tell me and my doctor. We have to have faith they know what they’re doing for us. I have no doubt whatsoever not everyone can say that I know.

in the beginning, I could feel the weight of my pacemaker and every bit of my heart or so I thought I was afraid to turn or move my arm in anyway. I overdid being careful there is a fine line but you do have to think about what was done for you in there and treat it like a baby. I am on eight weeks now and most of the time I forget about all of it. My doctor said my heart is as good as anyone’s which means don’t be paranoid anymore. I have an echo on Monday that’s the only? On me because I also have heart failure. The doctor wants to see if my pacemaker is actually helping turn the heart failure around. It can happen he said. Please be careful you might want to think about what you have been through and what it is like without NSR you have to have priorities now just like someone who likes to drink is it worth drinking even one glass if it will put you back in a fib? Life is all about choices all the time you sound like you’re having a blast. Just make sure you don’t overdo too soon. If you continue as good as you, are you have a lifetime to have fun.

[kocoach in reply to DawnTX]

Hello Dawn, I'll be praying for you and the upcoming echo on Monday that your heart is rebuilding itself and the progonisis will be all very positive. GOD Bless and have a wonderful day!

[DawnTX in reply to kocoach]

Thank you Coach I am still a little bit off even with my pacemaker, which is why he wants to check this. There has been a question of pericarditis since my pacemaker was fitted. Every time I have a procedure I have gotten pericarditis. Easy Peezy if I do have it, I already have the pills. Otherwise, I am feeling really good. Hard to believe what I felt like until the middle of February. I think most of what is wrong with me now is rebuilding stamina and that just takes time. Unfortunately, I also have to remember I am old in my head. I always say I am 35 and my body wants to feel that way, but when I try it laughs at me lol

I hope that you are doing well. Thinking of you and sending prayers back.

[MisterMagoo]

It's great to hear about your improvements and your commitment to "proper" bowls. I'm due an ablation before the end of June, misgovernment of the NHS willing, and I'm hoping to get back in the saddle before winter.

Keep posting, your experience helps me think about how I might approach recovery and gives us all hope.

How did the cup match go?

[kkatz in reply to MisterMagoo]

I don't know where you are in the country but I have never seen so much rain.If it wasn't a knock out league comp it would have been abandoned.A poor green with little grass just turned to mud and I am afraid I completely let the team down.Played a very accurate corner bowler and my little bowls just wouldn't get there.We lost.But Thursday I was last on & probably won the game for the Team.Do you still manage to bowl?

[MisterMagoo]

I'm exiled in the East Midlands so no crowns here. Haven't bowled since I was a teenager.

You only let the team down when you don't turn up, literally or figuratively.

This quote from arguably one of the world's greatest athletes is applicable to goldies playing bowls and kids playing footy.

" I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

[sportscoach]

Exercise caused my AF in the first place (Endurance Athlete) So took it as a warning and toned it right down to hiking and enjoying the scenery that I didn't have time to appreciate when I was a runner. I still walk anything from 50 to 70 mile a week with my camera for company...Brilliant time. Why would I want to go back to something that caused this condition in the first place. Everybody is different and have different priorities.

[Desanthony]

Brilliant. Take things easy though.