Running

[Maxfastestdog]

Persistent af .Like to return to running

[Rip_Van]

Similar situation here. Reckon I've had an arrhythmia for decades. No running since Dec 30th 24. Diagnosis of Afib and Flutter Jan 3rd 25. Now on Apixaban and Bisoprolol.

For comparison, average resting heart rate for 2024 was 48-49bpm, low 39bpm, lowest 35bpm(2015). All taken over 1 min. in morning. This year's average RHR thus far 75-76bpm.

Only walking and swimming this year but significantly slower than Dec last year, keeping an eye on HR throughout(obvs) but always have anyway.

What HR do you see at rest in persistent Afib?

[DiyChas in reply to Rip_Van]

I was a runner and diagnosed with mild AFib in my late 60s, when resting HR went to 100.Bisoprolol was started and heart rate drop to 80.

Problem was I couldn't run hard or road bike hard anymore.

I reduced bisoprolol in half (2.5mg) but still couldn't do aerobic exercise hard anymore.

[BobD Volunteer]

Your choice bearing in mind it is probably the running which caused the AF.

[Rip_Van in reply to BobD]

Depends on the running. If racing and training hard for racing, your running doesn't "cause" Atrial Fibrillation but it does increase the risk. I saw a study recently of Norwegian cross country skiers (elite) and the study suggested their training increased their risk of an arrhythmia by 2%-7%.

It's suggested keeping your heart rate between 50%-70% of max, when training, reduces risk but you won't be the best you can be at that level.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Rip_Van]

Endurance athletes, particularly marathon, iron man, cyclists etc along with fast jet pilots have much higher incience of AF than comparable peer groups. due to the extra work the atria have to do which expand and breaks down natural pathways.

[jeanjeannie50]

I used to do cross country running and wondered why I was always last at the finish. Also went out with a cycling club and was last there too. Luckily there was always someone who would stay back with me. Also I just couldn't understand how my best friend could manage to cycle up such steep hills and it was impossible for me.

Once AF was diagnosed all became clear.

I'm now in constant AF and would never put too much strain on my heart now.

Jean

[Afibtastic in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I am similar but paroxysmal. Always last. Run, jog, swim or cycle. Then understanding AF I see how it happened. One day on the beach I jogged for 1.5hrs. Couldn't understand why I could do it. I guess the heart was having a good day.

[cockerfarley]

I'm in constant AF and completely asymptomatic. Only found out a few years ago, when bought a smartwatch with ecg facility.I run 4 times per week around 50k and recently completed my first marathon last December. Had a lengthy private consultation with a top UK cardiologist last year, who outlined my options going forward. He didn't have an issue with me running as long as my HR returned to normal levels when I finish, which it does.

I'm 64 in March and don't take any medication, but he advised me to take anticoags when I hit 65, which I will do.

[CliveP in reply to cockerfarley]

I was exactly the same. Persistent AF with no symptoms at all. It was only the dramatic drop off in my running performance that suggested there was anything wrong. I continued running but, as I’m sure you know, I was much slower.

I suffered no ill effects at all apart from from frustration at being slow. I once reverted to normal rhythm on a run and it was like being turbocharged!

I was fortunate to have a successful ablation so I’ve been able to return to running at and occasionally above my previous level. I’m very lucky. If ablation is an option for you I would suggest considering it. I pushed hard to have one and it’s been the right choice. I am aware that not everyone is as fortunate in their outcome.

Suggestions that the running caused your AF are likely as incorrect as they are unhelpful. Of course it’s possible but there are a myriad of possible contributing factors that suggestions that every active person with AF is the author of their own misfortune are best ignored as irrelevant.

[Gincalpe]

With persistent AF the advice is moderate exercise. As Bob says it may be the strenuous exercise that caused the AF.

[kitenski in reply to Gincalpe]

sorry this really isn't helpful IMHO, where did the OP say he was doing "strenous exercise"? Current advice is that strenous HIT intervals are good for the heart. It seems to be long steady endurance exercise that perhaps is linked to AFib, ie ultra runner, XC skiers, triathletes, long distance cyclists etc.

ALL the advice from 3 consultants and a myriad of arrythmia nurses is that I should continue to exercise, just cut down the endurance. I have asked multiple times if it is ok to push myself and they have all said yes as long as I feel fine and my heart rate drops when stopping.

[Omniscient1]

Google "afibrunner". My drs merely said if you feel ok then it's fine (I'm in perm AF).Times are rubbish though (due to AF according to one Dr who is also a runner) so I just run for fitness now

[Jajarunner]

A good place to discuss this, apart from your cardiologist obviously, would be on the Facebook Cardiac Athletes page. Some very experienced people on there -mainly heart attacks but some afibbers too. For the record, my EP says it very intense Tour de France type exercise that causes afib not recreational running etc.

I have a blog post about afib and the link with exercise on "HHT and afib athlete" which you might find interesting if inconclusive!

Best wishes 🙏

[cockerfarley]

Thanks all. I Know for sure that the running didn't cause my Afib as I only took to running after I got Prost. cancer in 2022. I'm ok now.Another cardio thought my chemo could have caused it, my thoughts is possibly covid vaccine related.

Cardiologist did give me an ablation as an option,but said quality of life should be a key driver for having it done, so as I don't have any obvious symptoms, then I'm thinking against it.

When I did go into NSR for 6 months, don't know why, the only difference I noted, was that my 5k Park run time improved by 2 to 3 mins. In the grand scheme of things for a 63 year old, that's not a game changer .😂

[ozziebob in reply to cockerfarley]

Yes, there are many research articles linking both cancer and cancer treatment to heart damage and arrythmias. At the risk sharing information you have already digested, here's just one article ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

[HollieAdmin Administrator AF Association]

Hello,

Thank you for your post. It is important to listen to your body and doing what feels most comfortable. If you have any concerns, please speak to your Doctor as they have access to your medical records and will be able to advise you personally.

If you would like any information about AF including exercise advice, please download our AF and You Booklet from our website:

US: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

UK and International: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...

Kind regards,

HollieAdmin

Booklet