Post ablation exercise

[Sailblue]

Hi, My post ablation recovery has been interesting. The first 9 days I had alot of side effects but could feel progress and managed a couple of gentle walks. However, I then began to feel really unwell last weekend. I contacted 111 and spoke to a doctor who said he wasn't sure so to contact cardiac unit or go to the hospital. I phoned and they were shut even though it says contact 'anytime' on info and other number a 3 day response ! I braved it out but ended up in A and E with an infection.

I'm starting to feel so much better now. I am keen to get back to exercise. I feel I would benefit from cardiac rehab. I am not sure if I can ask for this as afib ? There are loads of videos but as in NSR now don't want to over do it. The aftercare has been non existent from the cardiac unit but the A and E docs brilliant. I have a follow up in 3 months.

Before my afib deteriorated in the last 6 months I was swimming, walking and doing yoga. Any advice most welcome.😁

[BobD Volunteer]

In case you were not given this I am signpostingg our fact sheet on ablation recovery.

In general terms cardiac rehab has not to my knowledged been commonly offered post ablation.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[wilsond]

Why are you so keen to get onto exercise???Please read our excellent patient advice booklet.

Your heart has been ' insulted '..it has had a significant proceedure, which is not to be treated lightly!!!

Really! Ablation is not a simple tweak!

[Sixtyslidogirl]

So you are 10 days post ablation? That is quite early. If you have an infection best get over that first. I started with yoga in week 2 (but no infection), couch to 5k in week 3, and weights in week 6.

[Jajarunner]

Gentle yoga is fine as soon as you feel well enough. Walking very short distances as you feel able. I found if I overdid it I felt exhausted for a couple of weeks after. Just do a little bit more each time and stop before you get tired. In my opinion, don't listen to your body as mine always feels great to the next day THEN tells me I did too much 🙏Best wishes

Ps cardiac rehab instructor AND had four ablations in last five years. I also have a blog "HHT and afib athlete" if you want to learn (a lot!) more!!

[Sailblue in reply to Jajarunner]

Thankyou,I will have a look. Yes, I think I expected too much too soon. There is alot of info out there but quite contradictory. Some say you should be back to normal in a couple of weeks and others three months. I was trying really hard to loose weight but felt like I'd run a marathon just going for a gentle walk in the last 6 months as the the 18 month wait was too much and my health really deteriorated. I think gentle 30m walks first. I really miss swimming but will hold off. I am trying to keep my calorie intake to a healthy 12-1400 but its hard not to comfort eat under the circumstances. Txs 🙂

[Jajarunner in reply to Sailblue]

Yes, it's so individual. I was told I'd be back running after a few weeks (and some people are) but in reality it was more like 5-7 months each time. I think on my blog I wrote it took six months to feel 90 % normal .

It also depends how much burning they do, this time they did hardly anything and I was better a lot faster (but still months and still recovering).

My electric bike kept me sane in the early days, on full power it's really just like slowly turning your legs but at least I could go out as walking was a major issue for me each time for the first two months. It was ages before I could even walk a half mile.

Take it easy.

Wishing you well 🙏

[Auriculaire in reply to Sailblue]

What makes you think that 1200-1400 calories is healthy? Most charts give 1600 for a sedentary female of 50+ years and more for active.

[sceptical101]

I waited 3 months after blanking period and have just started couch to 5k. My previous fitness level has gone due to inactivity for 6 months due to AF and ablation. I also wondered if I could if I could get on a cardiac rehab class but did not enquire.

[CliveP]

Too much too soon is a bad idea imo. It’s a quick way to disrupt the healing process and put you back where you were. Far better to let your heart recover before doing anything strenuous.

Don’t worry about losing fitness. You’ll soon get it back when your heart has fully healed.

I did nothing more than walking for 3 months then gradually started a little easy jogging. I’ve since returned to training as I like and can run as hard or far as I want. I’ve also been AF free for over 9 years.

Healing first. Exercise later!

[Sailblue in reply to CliveP]

Yes, opions seem to vary alot. Some people said they were jogging after two weeks that seems abit excessive ! I went for a 30m walk yesterday and feel really tired today. My plan is just to walk, building up to every other day. I'm getting a bit of pain in my groin still when I do this and I am 3 weeks post ablation. Thankyou for your comments. I've found some people's posts abit sarcastic so have thought about leaving as I do not usually use social media but have found a majority of people have been very supportive. Spring is round the corner 😁

[apatsyf]

My sister had cardio rehabilitation course after her ablation, so do ask.