Regular exercise is one of the best ways to build and maintain a healthy heart. However, those with atrial fibrillation may be worried that revving up their heart rate could trigger their irregular heartbeat pattern. Is it safe to work out with atrial fibrillation? Should you be worried? Read more to find out about safe ways to exercise with this condition.
Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib for short, is a common cause of irregular heartbeat. Your heart relies on a regular heartbeat pattern that comes from within the heart’s chambers. With AFib, the heart doesn’t transmit regular heart rhythms in an organized way.
As a result, the upper heart chambers don’t contract in a regular, rhythmic heartbeat.
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Exercising with a heart condition or after a heart attack or surgery may seem daunting, but rest assured. Doctors usually clear many people with atrial fibrillation to exercise right away, but it’s important to consult your cardiologist (heart doctor) before ramping up your exercise routine.
Beta-blockers, or other similar heart medications, may make you feel lethargic or less energetic. To combat this, try being as active as you can around the house. If you are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), you are more likely to bleed and bruise easily. For those reasons, it is recommended to avoid contact sports.
In general, it’s perfectly safe and healthy for you to stay physically active while living with atrial fibrillation. Everyone’s health is different, though, so it’s important to find the level of activity that works for you.
It is recommended that those with AFib aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, or 30 minutes of activity, five days a week. Moderate-intensity activity means boosting your heart rate, breathing a little faster, and breaking a light sweat during your workout.
After you’ve warmed up, try exercises like jogging or hiking to get a solid workout without
overloading your heartbeat.
Exercise bikes, elliptical machines, and treadmills are also safe workouts for people with AFib.
Lifting light weights can be a good workout to build muscle tone and strength without straining your heart.
A brisk walk is suitable for almost everyone with AFib, and the fresh air will make you feel better, both mentally and physically.
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If exercising causes pain, extreme breathlessness, or exhaustion, stop and consult with a doctor before you try to work out again. In these cases, strenuous exercise can be more harmful or helpful. You may need to take tests to make sure you haven’t developed a new problem.
Other AFib symptoms that may make exercising more difficult include:
To avoid these symptoms, try short exercise periods of 5-10 minutes at first to ensure that exercise won’t cause you to feel lightheaded or faint. As you become more comfortable with short periods of exercise, try gradually adding 5-10 minutes of exercise at a time until you feel like you’ve reached a satisfying personal fitness goal.
Regular physical activity helps people get more out of their lives. Aside from the heart benefits, adding regular physical activity to your daily routine can help you to:
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