Post-cardioversion exercise

[werther]

I'd be grateful for some kind advice on exercise post-cardioversion.

I'm 71, 13st 8lb, 5ft 11ins., male

I went to AE a year ago with fast heart rate and uneven pulse, was kept in 2 nights, stabilised and discharged on Bisoprolol and Apixaban. At that stage I had no discomfort in the chest, but was weak.

The official diagnosis was Atrial Flutter, hypertension, Mild LVSD with hypokinetic apex, Moderate Aortic Regurgitation. I am told I may need surgery at some stage.

At the end of July I had a cardioversion which I think is regarded as successful. Now my heart rate at rest and on medication is around 45/50 and regular though the irregularity returns progressively and temporarily when I get tired or am under pressure.

I have a further (6 monthly) appointment for a consultation in March 2019, but in the meantime am on 7.5 mg of Bisoprolol, 5 mg x2 Apixaban and a statin.

I am supposed to go back to exercising 'normally', but I am uncertain what this means in practice. I was no athlete before all this, despite the occasional gym visit. I now feel a bit sluggish on the Bisoprolol, but can walk steadily without serious breathlessness for an hour or so.

However, since last September, I am beginning to develop discomfort in the chest. This intensifies after I have been doing a little resistance muscle-work in the gym and seems to settle down when I desist. During the exercise there is no discomfort at all.

As far as official advice goes I am told to 'do what I can' and exercise 'normally' and I am loath to lose all my upper body muscle though most of it has faded over the last year anyway.

I am beginning to wonder whether I'm doing more harm than good with 'resistance' exercise, though perhaps not with aerobic exercise. Officiall advice seems to ignore the distinction.

I'd be very grateful for any help.

[jimmyq]

If you have been offered cardio rehab,take it. If you haven't phone the consultant's secretary to see if your health authority offers it. A lot of people on here have been to cardio rehab and benefitted from it. I recommend it.

[werther in reply to jimmyq]

Hello jimmyq,

Thanks for the swift answer. I asked the GP about rehab straight after the cardioversion without result. Not sure why I didn't think of going back to the consultant via his secretary.

First thing Monday morning! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[bobaxford]

Have a search for cardio rehab in your area, not all NHS hospitals offer it but you may find another near that does.

[werther in reply to bobaxford]

Hi Bobaxford, Thanks for the help. The penny has dropped, I think. A couple of sessions, even if I have to finance them myself, would at least tell me what I can and can't do. I'll contact the consultant's secretary on Monday and see how far I get.

Thanks for answering. I hope you have a good weekend.

[Ianc2]

If you can manage an hour, get yourself some wet weather gear and out you go on a regular basis.. It is the regular exercise that matters. An hour is about 3 miles. have a cup of coffee half way round and make your way back. Don't go off piste just yet and take a phone. If you can find some green stuff to walk through it is even better.

[werther]

Thanks for your advice and the encouragement , lancs2.

Message received and understood.

I'm part of the way there, as you say. Just more of same and daily.

[Pippa1234]

Talk to cardiologist about beta blocker, I changed to calcium channel blocker ker, now I can actually walk fast again!

[pablojack]

I am 70 years old, 13st 3lbs, 5ft 10.5 ", male. Had atrial flutter then a successful cardio version one year ago. No recurrence as yet. Heart rate 42. Have enlarged ventricles and diagnosis of probable DCM.Taking 32mg candesartan to try and reverse enlargement. Received same advice regarding exercise. However I am asymptomatic and have no problems running or lifting weights in the gym.

It seems everybody is different when it comes to symptoms so I will not give advice. I have slowly built up to running 6 or 7km three times a week as well as doing extensive weights to maintain muscle mass. I try to keep the running to two thirds of my maximum potential (ie speed since HR is no longer a reliable indicator) and don't exhaust myself. I also walk extensively. This is probably no different (for the time being) to what I would be capable of if I did not have the medical issues, However I notice that the running doesn't get any easier which may of course just be my age. I think the advice re exercise just amounts to going what you can without taking it to extremes.