How Much Activity?

[Peakoverload]

I'm currently waiting for my first ablation for my AF. I haven't even had the initial consultation about it (but have been told that after the failed cardioversion the next step was an ablation), and I believe the waiting list is around a year, so I know nothing is going to happen soon.

In the meantime I am struggling a bit with my symptoms. If I'm just in my house, I generally feel okay but do get out of breath climbing the stairs or carrying anything heavy for too long but most of the time its barely noticeable.

When I go out and walk, the first 30 mins feel quite hard work. I'm not 'out of breath', like I've just completed a run and panting, I'm just breathing more heavily than normal but everything feels physically like hard work. Then, if I sit down for a few minutes and then start walking again, it feels easier and I can walk for maybe an hour. The only thing I find is that after maybe 30 minutes I do start to sweat and it just gets worse the more tired I get. By about an hour I'm pretty exhausted, breathing heavily, sweating a lot and feeling like I have to stop and sit down. Once I do, I do recover pretty quickly.

When I has my cardioversion I asked about physical activity and was told "listen to your body". I honestly don't know what that means. Should I be pushing myself to do as much as possible, even if that means I get out of breath and sweat a lot, or should I stop as soon as I feel the first signs of being a bit out of puff?

Currently I work from home (all my colleagues do) and so am very sedentary but my boss has said that he would like everyone to come in once a month. For me this would be a 2.5hrs in each direction. Whilst for the majority of it I would be sitting down, at least 1hr in each direction would be either standing on the Tube or walking and I really don't know if I'm physically up to that, or if doing so would be pushing me too much.

[Hidden]

I can understand your dilemma but it’s generally recommended that moderate levels exercise are good for you, but defining moderate isn’t easy because everyone is different. It’s also difficult to define listening to your body but I’ll give it a go. If you whack your thumb with an hammer, your body fairly quickly tells you it hurts, dealing with exercise, I guess it’s more subtle. It’s generally suggested that if you can carry out a conversation whilst you are doing what you are doing then you are not excessively exercising so it’s a case of balancing the levels. There’s also an old saying that if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it which I think is equally pertinent. At 77, my missus has not long undergone some fairly serious treatment (not heart related) which has had a major impact on her energy and her medics were quite clear that the more you do, the more you can do but as I said, we are all different.

The other thing to perhaps bear in mind that rate drugs (beta blockers) can produce side effects very similar to AF symptoms which as we all know can include breathlessness. I remember my energy levels improved when I changed from beta blockers to calcium channel blockers so perhaps seeking a review of medication might be beneficial if it’s at all possible given the current climate here in the UK. It will be interesting to hear what others suggest…..

[Buffafly]

A question on the BHF forum might help. I’d try to work up - stop for a breather after 10 minutes and work up day by day?

[secondtry]

You got good advice 'Listen to your body'.

We have all got out of the habit of doing this to such an extent we don't know what it means anymore.

I have built up this habit over time, which is relatively easy as I am very psymtomatic. So do take a rest when you feel like it. Do avoid certain things. Don't push yourself moderate & regular is much better; this includes moderation of your sedentary work habit with more brief exercise breaks if practical. I work on the second floor of our house with the printer and kitchen on the ground floor = many stairs taken at a gentle pace.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

I am in AF all the time.

I am controlled by meds, a CCB AM and BB PM.

My cardiologist said he would like me to exert myself and asked what I did. Well, mow my lawns. Well. walk up my road. More exertion to walk more down to shops and back carrying my purchases.

The sweating will be high Heart Rate. You stop to get more blood around your body.

I would perhaps do your exertion in spurts - may be 3 times day. You are assisting your heart to be stronger. Your heart is a muscle. If you don't use/ exert it - it will weaken.

The more controlled with my meds the better I have got but I cant run or walk fast.

I cant keep up the exertion so I stop and rest.. no for long but I need that time.

Cheri JOY. 74 (NZ)

[Ewloe]

you said about should you push yourself. I used to pre heart attack and subsequent cardiac arrhythmias now I call it nudging myself. I was fit to start with so had a good base but even now 2.5 years on I’m constantly nudging myself on. It’s gradual but good. I swim, gym, Pilates, badminton and walk. With the swimming for example I’ve gone from doing a few slow lengths in the slow lane to in the last six months being able to do 90 lengths in the middle lane. My body takes longer and I have to pace myself. That’s done by listening to my body and being patient. Just don’t stand still keep nudging where you can good luck.

[Peakoverload]

Thank you all for your replies. Very useful and interesting. I know I need to be more active but have always felt unsure as to how much was too much. After Christmas I shall try and be more organised and focused on being more active and try not to give in too quickly when it gets tough. Happy Christmas everyone.