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Sports and Afib

Posted , 4 users are following.

CDM2
CDM2

Hi.. I'm just posting to let everyone know what's happening with me and maybe it can help you as well.  I have afib.  I am on 180mg verapamil and 50 mg flecainide twice daily and one aspirin.  No matter what I do I seem to have days that I have afib  and then days that I don't.  I've given up trying to figure it out.  In the meanwhile though, I can say that the meds do seem to help and that I have gone back to doing some long distance cycling.  I feel great half way through the ride and all the rest of the day.  I am fairly tired the next day but bounce back after that.  My thinking is if it doesn't kill me then I'm going to at least keep my heart healthier by exercising which will reduce my BP and keep cholesterol down.  So.. if anyone else has thoughts or stories about sport and afib, please share

Thanks

CD

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • odam_99161
    odam_99161 CDM2

    Posted

    ​You should avoid sports or exercises that involve standing at one place and lifting or straining heavy objects. This includes sports as lifting weights, boxing and squash.  You should not scuba dive as it can be dangerous if you have high blood pressure. However, someone should always try to be active and exercise and your exercise should be symptom limited meaning if you do feel well after exercises, go ahead but don’t push yourself over the limit. I am not sure about sports, but as far as exercises are concerned, brisk walking, swimming and yoga seems to be suitable. In general, I read patients with AF who are on no therapy and absence of structural heart disease can participate in all sports. Athletes who are on anticoagulant therapy should avoid bodily collision sports. My better advice, it is advisable to consult your treating physician as he knows your history and physical ability more than anybody else.
  • GrumpyPops
    GrumpyPops CDM2

    Posted

    CDM2.

    Just to let you know. I have Paroxyml AF and I go to a heart rehabilitaion exercise class twice a week (circuit training). This is run by my local Heart clinic. Before I can participate I have to go under various tests and answer questions about my condition. The classes are taken by experienced instructors who are well aware of your condition and there are all sorts of equipment for cases of emergencies. In fact everyone there has had some sort of heart problem. I take warfarin, flecinade and Multitax 400. Yes there are days when I'm not feeling well but I do what I want and I never try and do too much. As I have learned throughout my illness that doing too much is bad for you. The instructors tell me me not to swim as the heart works differently when lying down as it does when going to bed. I used to enjoy walking but even this is not good for me as I found out when walking in the Austrian Alps this January. At the end of the day. The heart is a muscle and should be exercised to some extent but under controlled conditions. As you says its usually the next day when the wall comes down but as long as you know about it then you can modify what you do.

  • CDM2
    CDM2

    Posted

    Thanks odam and grumpypops.  Cycling twice a week.. Yes.. have to be careful.. I woke up alive today!!!  hahah!! 
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