Exercise programs for atrial fibrillation patients

An observational study found that patients who gained cardiorespiratory fitness over a five-year follow-up were significantly less likely to have recurrences of AF. The ACTIVE-AF trial assessed the impact of a six-month exercise programme combining supervised and home-based aerobic exercise on AF recurrence and symptom severity -- during the intervention and after a further six months of follow-up. The study included patients with short AF episodes paroxysmal AF or longer episodes requiring intervention to restore normal rhythm persistent AF.

Patients whose normal heart rhythm cannot be restored permanent AF were excluded. The trial randomly allocated patients with symptomatic AF to an exercise intervention or usual care for six months.

The intervention included supervised exercise weekly for three months then fortnightly for three months and an individualised weekly plan to follow at home. Over the six months the target was to increase aerobic exercise up to 3. Supervised sessions were typically higher intensity to raise cardiorespiratory fitness, while home-based exercise was typically a moderate intensity aerobic activity of the patient's choice e.

The usual care group received exercise advice but no active intervention. All patients received usual medical care from their cardiologist who was blinded to study group allocation.

The co-primary outcomes were AF symptom severity score and the proportion of patients with recurrent AF at 12 months. Recurrent AF was defined as episodes lasting longer than 30 seconds, undergoing an ablation intervention, or requiring ongoing anti-arrhythmic drug therapy. Elliott said: "Put simply, this means a larger number of patients in the exercise group could maintain a normal heart rhythm without needing invasive interventions or continued use of drugs.

Patients in the exercise group also had a significant reduction in the severity of their symptoms at 12 months compared to the control group. More importantly, if anything should happen, you'll be in the safest place. Plus that, they'll be abler to give you the best advice relative to your specific medical history. They can interface with your doctor to ensure the best possible care. I have worked with a lot of active people in cardiac rehab and the experience really helped allay their concerns and give them a sense of comfort and control again.

As you pointed out, yes, losing weight and cutting out the caffeine will also help you manage it. A-Fib is definitely a wet fish to the face but it doesn't have to be the end of the road where you just wither away.

Better the devil you know than the one you don't know. There will be some adjustments ahead, but your best bet is to work closely with your medical management team and find ways to maintain your active lifestyle as safely as possible. Kind regards, Bill. I have continued to exercise regularly cycling 3 times a week a total of around km a week and swim three times about 4km in total. Lasts for few minutes to 30 minutes.

There is nothing I can do to increase the maximum - it is what it is on the day. I did a stress echo on a treadmill the other day and could only get to bpm after 12 minutes. Is there anything I can do to have a consistent high maximum heart rate ie around A max of only significantly affects my cycling. Maybe reduce the dosage. Cardiologist didn't have any explanation why my max varies - and on the day there is nothing I can do to increase it - it is what it is.

Hi David, Atrial fibrillation by its very nature can fluctuate quite a bit and I can certainly appreciate your frustration. You sound like an active guy, so it can be a real kick in the nuts when you can't seem to get into a good groove with your training heart rate. It's hard to say exactly what's going on, but perhaps it may be worth your while to have another talk with your doc about your meds and see if that might be playing a role in this.

But variable heart rate aside, sometimes it's better the devil you know than the one you don't know. If your atrial fibrillation was undiagnosed, then that would be far worse.

Feel free to stop back and leave another comment after you meet with your doc. Cardiologist had me on Bisoprolol Eventually was taking 10mg a day. But during that time my weight kept increasing, I gained 30lbs and hit lbs.

Due to developing Tinnitus an apparently rare side effect I went off the medication. In 2 weeks with no other changes I dropped 20lbs. Then I read that weight loss is yet another side effect of Beta Blockers. So in summary, people with Afib get put on these drugs, their weight goes up, putting more strain on their heart and the doctors response is to simply increase the dosage making the problem even worse. Sadly I was hoping exercise and staying away from caffeine, alcohol etc.

Now I notice after 30 mins on the elliptical my heart rate will shoot up to and stay there for over an hour. But I simply can't go back to gaining weight again, and eating say calories a day and being hungry all the time is not the solution either. While I can't give any specific advice over the internet, here are some things that I would suggest bringing up in a conversation with your cardiologist.

If it's the latter, then it would make sense that you have a higher heart rate. The other question is whether or not you are symptomatic. Are you feeling dizzy, light-headed, or short of breath?

Perhaps ask your doc if it's appropriate to do a treadmill stress test with full lead electrocardiogram. This might inform the situation a bit more to help determine the best way forward. Also ask if an ablation may be appropriate for you. Find out what it is now and how close it is to normal i.

If it's relatively stable and isn't going anywhere, then this may not play into the picture of how much exercise you can do. Still worth monitoring though. Don't go to some wacknut self-proclaimed "nutritionist" who did an online course. It's the same as asking your local mechanic or insurance salesman for nutrition advice sorry, I had to include that. Looking at your IP address, you appear to be located in Alberta. Here are some links to put you on the right path:.

Hope this helps put you on the right path. Feel free to stop back and leave another comment. Hi am 48 had st jude valve tissue MVR surgery 5yrs ago cause of history of rhematic..

Hi Vashti, I'm sorry to hear you're still having trouble with your atrial fibrillation and blood pressure. I cannot give any specific advice over the internet, but I would strongly recommend that you discuss these matters with your cardiologist who will be most familiar with your complete medical history.

It will be important for them to evaluate all your medications and dosages to ensure the best outcomes for your arrhythmias and high blood pressure. If you are feeling very anxious, then it may also be a smart idea to speak to a health psychologist in your area who can help you better manage the thoughts going through your mind.

Sometimes, if you're feeling anxious, then this can have an effect on your blood pressure and heart rhythm.

A bit of mindfulness and meditation may also help you feel more calm on the inside. But the first stop for you should be your cardiologist to get the best available information relative to your medical history. Hope this helps. Sharing is caring! This article provides a concise review of exercise testing and rehabilitation in patients with persistent or permanent AF. Clinical considerations: The first goal in the treatment of AF is to reduce symptoms eg, palpitations and a fast ventricular rate.

The second goal is to reduce the risk of a stroke. Exercise testing and rehabilitation may be useful once these goals are achieved.