AF after a cycle

[david k]

Anyone ever had occasional AF? I used to get it when i had an over active thyroid, they cured that and it went away, trouble is ive started getting it now and again particularly after a ride, wasnt worried at first but its getting a bit more regular

 

[ScotiaLass]

Anyone ever had occasional AF? I used to get it when i had an over active thyroid, they cured that and it went away, trouble is ive started getting it now and again particularly after a ride, wasnt worried at first but its getting a bit more regular

To the doc with you and get it checked!

 

[ColinJ]

You mean a dicky heart rhythm, AF (Atrial Fibrillation) being just one type ...

I got very bad problems with my heart rhythm both times that I developed DVT/PE. Eventually, exercise was ok to a certain level of exertion but beyond that still caused problems. That threshold is slowly increasing as I recover from the illness. I still can't go to 100% effort, but I can get away with (say) 80-90% now.

Stress and too much caffeine can catch me out too.

But ... ScotiaLass is right - you need to get it checked out properly!

 

[david k]

Yeh I've got an appointment at the doctors next week and a blood test tomorrow. As i said i had an irregular heart rhythm 5 years ago but it went away when my over active thyroid was sorted, so i know the feelings. My heart rate is a bit low at the moment , probably require more levothyroxine for thyroid replacement, i average around 60 resting which is around 16-20 less than my average.

My heart was ok on the ride today, just 20 slow miles but 30 minutes after stopping, and after a shower and something to eat, bang it went funny again, i tested the BPM and it was 108 then 138, about 2 hours later it slowly dropped and is ok again now but its tiring.

It happened the other night after eating, no reason too

 

[pawl]

Anyone ever had occasional AF? I used to get it when i had an over active thyroid, they cured that and it went away, trouble is ive started getting it now and again particularly after a ride, wasnt worried at first but its getting a bit more regular

Get to the docs .I ignored various symptoms eg passing out when exercising,outcome valve replacement and coronary by pass.thankfully now recovered.Please don't take risks with your heart it is your engine .

 

[toeknee]

Well said that man.

 

[david k]

Get to the docs .I ignored various symptoms eg passing out when exercising,outcome valve replacement and coronary by pass.thankfully now recovered.Please don't take risks with your heart it is your engine .

Will do. i think the funny thing is the fact it often starts after training? and rarely during? Thought someone may have some ideas why

 

[vickster]

Probably a cardiologist

 

[david k]

Probably a cardiologist

I normally take all health advice from strangers on a cycling forum rather than those professional types

 

[pawl]

I normally take all health advice from strangers on a cycling forum rather than those professional types

My cardiologist is a keen cyclist .Also a friend of Peter Sagan.So got plenty of good advice eg after12 weeks post op go for it.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have had exercise induced AFib for about three years. Occurs when I get home after a spin that I have pushed myself too hard. Usually lasts a few hours. I cannot function and have to sit/ lie down until it passes. Not very pleasant.
I think it coincides with chest infection. Presently having tests for sleep apnoea. Cardiologist thinks that may be contributing to the AFib.
I really need to change my cycle routine. It's difficult not to go for that hill or sprint when out with the guys from the club. That's when the AFib trouble starts. It will be very hard but to stop myself over doing it I may have to cycle more on my own.

 

[woohoo]

It is entirely possible to have asymptomatic AF. I have Atrial Flutter (sort of a regular version of Atrial Fibrillation) and that was only picked up on an ECG when the GP was doing a "just in case" check because I have a history of cardiac "events" (!). The extra beats do not always get transmitted from the atrium and therefore do not always result in detectable beats either using a heart rate monitor or taking a manual reading. It can however lead to pooling of the blood in the atrium which can lead to clots and therefore anti-coagulants are usually prescribed.

Note. I am not a medic (obviously, give the terminology I've used) but in any event, IMHO, a trip to the GP would be a good idea.

 

[david k]

I have had exercise induced AFib for about three years. Occurs when I get home after a spin that I have pushed myself too hard. Usually lasts a few hours. I cannot function and have to sit/ lie down until it passes. Not very pleasant.
I think it coincides with chest infection. Presently having tests for sleep apnoea. Cardiologist thinks that may be contributing to the AFib.
I really need to change my cycle routine. It's difficult not to go for that hill or sprint when out with the guys from the club. That's when the AFib trouble starts. It will be very hard but to stop myself over doing it I may have to cycle more on my own.

Hi, thanks for the reply, that sounds very familiar, I dont get it on short rides 5-15 miles typically, but over 20 or so and pushing it it tends to be more frequent, however it has happened on shorter rides also but very occasional.

It does make me feel terrible whilst my heart is pumping away and then takes longer to recover from the ride. It happened one Friday night and I was exhausted all weekend

 

[david k]

It is entirely possible to have asymptomatic AF. I have Atrial Flutter (sort of a regular version of Atrial Fibrillation) and that was only picked up on an ECG when the GP was doing a "just in case" check because I have a history of cardiac "events" (!). The extra beats do not always get transmitted from the atrium and therefore do not always result in detectable beats either using a heart rate monitor or taking a manual reading. It can however lead to pooling of the blood in the atrium which can lead to clots and therefore anti-coagulants are usually prescribed.
Note. I am not a medic (obviously, give the terminology I've used) but in any event, IMHO, a trip to the GP would be a good idea.

Thanks, I'm going to the doctors next week so will hopefully get it checked out, I had an ECG around 5 years ago and it was fine at the time with the exception of a valve not working 100% but I was told this was very common, maybe it has got worse? There is a history of heart problems so this may be hereditary .

If my heart is regular at the time would an ECG necessarily pick something up?

My heart rate was 138 and the graph all over the place after during one of these episodes so I'm guessing AFib not A flutter? Its currently aroun 58-62 resting, but thats probably because my levothyroxine is slightly low, i'm hoping that goes up, theres chances the Doctor wont do that if he know my heart is prone to AF?

 

[woohoo]

Thanks, I'm going to the doctors next week so will hopefully get it checked out, I had an ECG around 5 years ago and it was fine at the time with the exception of a valve not working 100% but I was told this was very common, maybe it has got worse? There is a history of heart problems so this may be hereditary .

A cardiac consultant told me that one of my valves had a slight leak and then mentioned that I shouldn't worry about it because it was normal at my age and that most people have the same condition; they just don't know it.

If my heart is regular at the time would an ECG necessarily pick something up?

Not being "smart" but it depends on what you mean by "my heart is regular". In my case, my heartbeat as measured by a normal heart rate monitor or by taking my pulse at the wrist is a steady 50 (give or take) at rest. However the ECG shows a strong signal 50 times per minute in the Atrium but there are 5 mini signals between each of these strong signals. The strong signal get transmitted to the pump part of the heart and a pulse results. The mini signals don't get transmitted and this is why I am asymptomatic. But there is no doubt I have Atrial Flutter and am at risk of a stroke through clotting unless I take blood thinners.

My heart rate was 138 and the graph all over the place after during one of these episodes so I'm guessing AFib not A flutter? Its currently aroun 58-62 resting, but thats probably because my levothyroxine is slightly low, i'm hoping that goes up, theres chances the Doctor wont do that if he know my heart is prone to AF?

Seems reasonable in my non-medic view. A Fib is much more common than A Flutter.

Good luck with it. It can be worrying but a lot of people are wandering around with all sorts of undiagnosed cardiac problem e.g. bicuspid aortic valves, A Fib etc. and I've read that a large number of unexpected strokes can probably be attributed to undiagnosed A Fib. It is better to know one way or another (although I confess I was fairly peed off when I found out).