Running with Atrial Fibrillation

[Coconut8]

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with AF in 2022 and finally plucked up the courage to undergo the ablation surgery last year.

I had the surgery in November and it went well with a good post op period. I have started running again (I used to run 10k prior to my diagnosis and the reason for my surgery is largely due to wanting to get back to running). I have been doing the couch to 5k and its been going great. No episodes of AF until today. I was doing a 25 min run and had to stop. I know that after the surgery I can experience episodes of AF for 3 months, and also know it may be that the surgery has not worked this time round.

I suppose I just wanted to reach out and see if there is anyone else who has AF (and/or the surgery) and who regularly runs. How has your journey been and have you also experienced episodes whilst trying to get back into it? And where are you now with your running?

I have been diagnosed fairly young, I'm now 37 and so I don't know anyone with the condition. I am part of the couch to 5k facebook group but unfortunately not heard back from anyone going through the same thing as me. There are a lot of unknowns at this stage, it could just be a blip and i'll be fine for my next run, it could be I need a further surgery. I know I just have to have patience and see. But I just feel so downhearted about it and thought it could help to speak to another person going through the same thing.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post

Rebecca

[Blearyeyed]

You might want to post this on the Atrial Fibrillation forum on HU , you'll get lots of people with AF there whom have a similar experience to you. The AF forum will be helpful for you.Sounds like you were doing well.

Sometimes , various things can cause a small AF episode even after having surgery or ablation when you exercise.

It doesn't necessarily mean the ablation did not work , especially if your AF episode was short and sinus rhythm returned pretty quickly as you rested ( or took medication if you still have it).

It just means that you may have taken it a bit too fast and a a bit too hard today.

It might be something simple like you have had a bug or make be a bit run down or about to get a cold.

You might have just been a little dehydrated, or low on electrolytes as you were running.

It could have been the cold weather and wind chill , or being wrapped up you may not have realised how much exertion you had to use or how much perspired in the cold.

You might have already had a busy day or a lot to think about and being tired already , or a bit achy could trigger AF.

Believe it or not , many people whom aren't diagnosed with AF occasionally have these episodes on runs , especially more athletic people whom push themselves for times or endurance, they just don't realise it.

It probably just means you might want to think through the run .

You may need to pace yourself , go a little slower , change to a more level route.

Remember to have rest days and consider the weather in case it's not right for you that day , the cold can cause extra exertion for your heart.

Think about what you have done that day and don't try to pack in running or cardio exercise on a busy or hard day when you are already low on energy.

Drinking more before and during your run can reduce the risk.

Having a nutrient rich light snack before a run and one afterwards can help improve your electrolytes.

Changing your posture keeping your head up , neck lengthened and back relaxed but straight improves oxygen flow .

Deeper breaths and learning to breath with your pace is also good.

Take care and take it easy , Bee

[Popepaul]

Honestly, I would stop running. You cannot uninvent what has happened. To my mind endurance work can induce a relapse. Many will of course disagree with this view. Good luck.

[AAJJTt]

Hi,

Definitely try the Afib forum too.

I run but I cannot call myself a hard core runner. This is just to maintain good exercise tolerance to pursue my other main interests like rock climbing and mountaineering.

I started this nearly 6 years ago with a heart attack (nstemi type2) suspected root cause - undiagnosed and untreated atrial fibrillation; it wasn't very clear though. Angiogram with no interventions, discharged with medication and exercise; Afib very stable on meds - no discernible episodes for 5 years.

I went through phase 3 & 4 cardiac rehab (continue the latter) and have not looked back.

Do you have a cardiac rehab program in your area? I pretty sure my local one will take on people with PAF and ablation, though my referral route was via heart attack.

Programs do seem to vary depending on which part of the country you are located. I felt my local program was very thorough and included 2 x CPET tests, which are considered the gold standard to study a patient's level of exercise limitation and its causes. On both occasions they took me up to my HR maximal and my cardiac output remained normal throughout; no undue stress, maintained NSR. no Afib. After that i was given a training target HR (90% maximal), which was a good confidence boost.

It took me a little while, even though i was fit and healthy before my HA, I was nervous. Built up slowly on 5k program. Now I regularly 3 times a week (5-6km). This I equate to my base ‘maintenance load’.

I do other stuff, climbing, longer cycling rides at the weekend, strength training and maybe another run - outdoors. Not too keen on outdoor these days, it’s so easy to pick a twist or pull and that then might derail my routine; which I follow rigorously.

So far so good. My heart has now fully recovered from my MI and my Afib has been very stable. I keep toying with going to 10k but do I want to ‘rock the boat’. At the moment I am good and don’t feel I have any limitations.

Afib is a tricky devil, the presentation is so diverse between patients. I cannot comment on ablation experiences either - not been there yet. Exercise can be a trigger for some people, so it really depends on your personal circumstances. I would maybe ask your GP for a referral to cardiac rehab, see if it is possible. You may well be the youngest person there, I was 53 (relatively the younger end of the spectrum too) but that should not deter you, the help and support i received was amazing.

Also I did mention the other forum too. It is run/sponsored by AF Association, look them up. They do have a helpline, which I found very useful in the early days. You can speak to trained people who know a lot about Afib.

Best, A

[Coconut8]

Just want to thank you all for taking the time to comment. I'll give the AF forum a go I didn't know there was one, much appreciated 😊