Learning to live with arrhythmia

[KarlJE]

Interested to join this group to learn more about how to learn to live with an arrhythmia. Aged now 59 My first awareness was when cycling and using as I always have a chest hrm. The GPS device suddenly started to show a gradual increases whilst under strenuous cycling a hr of upto 193bpm. I had never seen anything above 173 before. After extensive tests (which did reveal AVC’s) since we still don’t know what causes the irregularity which has since reoccurred under lighter workout conditions since I have stopped cycling out of safety concerns. Last week during badminton there was a spike over a 9 second interval where hr jumped from 130 to a max of 221 before it returned to normal. any words of advice out there would be very welcome

[hywell]

Hi Karl , my experiences of finding out about my A fib were similar to yours only l was running and l was 58 when my heart beat jumped to 220 ( l too had a chest HRM on ) . Unfortunately l now have permanent A fib and no longer run . l do cycle albeit carefully , row , use the cross trainer ,weights and swim . I do sometimes get breathless but more often than not l am ok and have learned to live with it . l am on Bisoprolol and Apixaban and live an almost normal life . Lets hope your Afib is Paroxysmal . My point is its not all doom and gloom , carry on keeping fit ( my consultant tells me l have a strong heart ) and keep in good contact with your Dr / Consultant , chase them up if needs be . l am now 67 and outdoing something everyday . Good luck . Hywell .

[Jaws66 in reply to hywell]

I'm similar, late thirties when I thought my new heart rate monitor wasn't working when it kept going over 200. I've been in permanent AF for over sixteen years, and now on Verapamil which allows me to keep jogging slowly but no sprinting. Can't do circuits or extended power exercises, but I walk a lot, jog a bit and do exercises focussed on core strength and minimising injuries. (I'm 54 now, and any injury takes a lot longer to get over.)

AF doesn't have to mean the end of exercising, but I needed to change my expectations and goals.

[TracyAdmin Partner ArrhythmiaAlliance]

Hello KarlJE, if you would like any advice regarding exercise - please do not hesitate to contact us on [e-mail]