Cycling after AF ablation

[DaveGM]

I had a ablation for atrial fibrillation in 2014, and was signed off by my Electrophysiologist (Cardiologist who specialises in arrhythmias) in June 2015. I was encouraged to take some exercise and decided the gym, jogging and swimming were not for me.

I decided to buy a bike partly with the expectation that it may have one outing and then find a permanent home in the garage.

To my surprise I really enjoyed getting back on a bike after an absence of 40+ years since being a teenager!

I gradually and slowly built up distance to about 20 miles ( at a modest speed) until the wet and windy weather started in December.

I don't want to overdo it and bring on a return of AF, so I was wondering if there is anyone else out there who has taken to cycling in similar circumstances, and how are you getting on?

 

[Colin_P]

Yes, me and a chap called @Yorksman.

I suffer from ventricula tachycardia with small bouts of AF. I've had one attempted / failed ablation.

I have an ICD (Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator) in my chest which is a last resort, my arrhythmias are managed with drugs. I managed to cycle over 2,000 miles last year. Cycling is completely normal for me, I just do it slowly, not that I the choice of going fast.

By the way AF is very successfully treated and is quite safe arrhythmia as far as arrhythmia go.

The most important thing though is to know that you are not alone.

You might want to have a read of this thread;
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/any-survivors-on-here-cardiac-arrest-heart-attack-cancer.164623/

 

[ozboz]

To be honest I just had to google your condition to find out what it was , there is some history of heart probs in my family, I began cycling for fitness three years ago I am now 63 , my resting heart rate is lower than 60 now , and an excellent recovery rate after pushing up hills at a good speed for me , best thing I have done for years cycling , also as I am getting in to it more now it's becoming an excellent hobby , got myself a very old frame and plan to have it all restored up and running by April ,a single speed for local riding , Can't wait !!!
Hope it works out for you !

 

[Brandane]

I have suffered with AF since my teens (unknowingly - I thought it was normal for my heart to beat strangely for short spells!) and it was only about 18 years ago (in my mid 30's) that I realised it was not in fact normal when I ended up in A&E..
Since then I have been on 2 x Flecainide Acetate pills per day and for the most part all has been well. I did once discuss ablation (I too had to google that!) with the cardiologist but was advised to stick with what appears to be working for me; i.e. medication.
As far as excercise is concerned, I have never given it much thought. Like many others I started to put on weight in my 40's and decided to try and halt the slide so started doing a bit of cycling. I found I quite enjoyed it when the weather is kind (detest it in the rain or wind, so just don't bother then) and for the last 6 years or so have been doing about 3500 miles per year including the odd 100 miler, with no ill effects. I quite regularly do 100 km rides, and hardly bother getting the bike out if it's less than about 15 miles. I do not consider myself to be very fit, and my rides are quite slow - that may or may not be down to the medication restricting heart rate (I never wear a monitor so not sure about that one).
Good luck with the recuperation @DaveGM , and happy cycling!

 

[pawl]

I had a ablation for atrial fibrillation in 2014, and was signed off by my Electrophysiologist (Cardiologist who specialises in arrhythmias) in June 2015. I was encouraged to take some exercise and decided the gym, jogging and swimming were not for me.

I decided to buy a bike partly with the expectation that it may have one outing and then find a permanent home in the garage.

To my surprise I really enjoyed getting back on a bike after an absence of 40+ years since being a teenager!

I gradually and slowly built up distance to about 20 miles ( at a modest speed) until the wet and windy weather started in December.

I don't want to overdo it and bring on a return of AF, so I was wondering if there is anyone else out there who has taken to cycling in similar circumstances, and how are you getting on?

I had a ablation for atrial fibrillation in 2014, and was signed off by my Electrophysiologist (Cardiologist who specialises in arrhythmias) in June 2015. I was encouraged to take some exercise and decided the gym, jogging and swimming were not for me.

I decided to buy a bike partly with the expectation that it may have one outing and then find a permanent home in the garage.

To my surprise I really enjoyed getting back on a bike after an absence of 40+ years since being a teenager!

I gradually and slowly built up distance to about 20 miles ( at a modest speed) until the wet and windy weather started in December.

I don't want to overdo it and bring on a return of AF, so I was wondering if there is anyone else out there who has taken to cycling in similar circumstances, and how are you getting on?[/QUOTE

I don't know if this helps Aprox two years ago I had a heart bi pass and Aortic valve replacement.
I was in hospital for 5 days.I was advised not to cycle until my first check up in 8 to11 weeks,this was to allow the sternum to but could undertake any exercise that did not cause undue strain on the sternum.I could ride on the turbo or walk for as long or at reasonable intensity Road cycling was a no no due to the risk crashing.
After 11weeks I was back on the bike. Spent the first month riding 15 miles at an average of13 mph.After that I upped the mileage and distance each week.
The consultant put no restrictions on me just that to ease myself back into cycling with what felt comfortable .
I am medication to control heart rate and Aspirn.
I was75 when I underwent surgery.
I assume you be taking some form of medication.If you have any doubts about the level exercise consult your consultent or physio.
Good luck

 

[Colin_P]

@Brandane

How much Flec do you take? I'm on it as well and take 200mg a day, half in the morning, half in the evening. I'm also on a large dose of beta blockers.

I'm not sure which of the two slows me down the most but having read your post, it seems that the beta is probably the culprit.

 

[Brandane]

@Brandane

How much Flec do you take? I'm on it as well and take 200mg a day, half in the morning, half in the evening. I'm also on a large dose of beta blockers.

I'm not sure which of the two slows me down the most but having read your post, it seems that the beta is probably the culprit.

Same as yourself - 100mg in the morning, 100mg in the evening. About a year ago they also decided to put me on a small dose of beta-blocker, so I take 1.25mg of Cardicor daily too.

 

[Colin_P]

Same as yourself - 100mg in the morning, 100mg in the evening. About a year ago they also decided to put me on a small dose of beta-blocker, so I take 1.25mg of Cardicor daily too.

I'm on 20mg of Nebivolol which is also started at 1.25mg. It knocked me for six when I started it and at every dose increase.

 

[Brandane]

I'm on 20mg of Nebivolol which is also started at 1.25mg. It knocked me for six when I started it and at every dose increase.

That sounds like a large dose of beta-blockers right enough! Is your high dosage to do with your VT, rather than AF?

 

[Colin_P]

That sounds like a large dose of beta-blockers right enough! Is your high dosage to do with your VT, rather than AF?

The drugs are mainly for VT which with me can and has gone to VF (ventricular fibrillation) which isn't nice.

 

[DaveGM]

Thank you all for your comments

I am not sure how far I should or could push it , so I think the mantra is stay within what is comfortable.

I know that endurance athletes ( serious bike riders) are prone to developing AF - I certainly do not come into that category!!

As a side note - I never got on with any of the medications for AF hence going for the ablation which I am delighted to say appears to have worked. Fingers crossed!

 

[Brandane]

The drugs are mainly for VT which with me can and has gone to VF (ventricular fibrillation) which isn't nice.

Sorry to hear that; hope the meds do their job!

 

[DaveGM]

Yes, me and a chap called @Yorksman.

I suffer from ventricula tachycardia with small bouts of AF. I've had one attempted / failed ablation.

I have an ICD (Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator) in my chest which is a last resort, my arrhythmias are managed with drugs. I managed to cycle over 2,000 miles last year. Cycling is completely normal for me, I just do it slowly, not that I the choice of going fast.

By the way AF is very successfully treated and is quite safe arrhythmia as far as arrhythmia go.

The most important thing though is to know that you are not alone.

You might want to have a read of this thread;
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/any-survivors-on-here-cardiac-arrest-heart-attack-cancer.164623/

thanks Colin I will read the thread - all 20 pages of it!!

Yes, I understand AF is a less serious condition than VF.

hope you keep well, and keep cycling

 

[DaveGM]

I have suffered with AF since my teens (unknowingly - I thought it was normal for my heart to beat strangely for short spells!) and it was only about 18 years ago (in my mid 30's) that I realised it was not in fact normal when I ended up in A&E..
Since then I have been on 2 x Flecainide Acetate pills per day and for the most part all has been well. I did once discuss ablation (I too had to google that!) with the cardiologist but was advised to stick with what appears to be working for me; i.e. medication.
As far as excercise is concerned, I have never given it much thought. Like many others I started to put on weight in my 40's and decided to try and halt the slide so started doing a bit of cycling. I found I quite enjoyed it when the weather is kind (detest it in the rain or wind, so just don't bother then) and for the last 6 years or so have been doing about 3500 miles per year including the odd 100 miler, with no ill effects. I quite regularly do 100 km rides, and hardly bother getting the bike out if it's less than about 15 miles. I do not consider myself to be very fit, and my rides are quite slow - that may or may not be down to the medication restricting heart rate (I never wear a monitor so not sure about that one).
Good luck with the recuperation @DaveGM , and happy cycling!

Brandane

100 miles!!! Blimey

Agree about riding in the wind and rain - we've rather a lot of that around here.

Incidently - first got AF at the age of 43 had a first ablation at 48 and 15 years AF free thereafter.

Unfortunately a return of AF in 2014 so opted for another ablation as drugs in the past were for me pretty useless.

 

[Yorksman]

I started off with Atrial Fibrillation and was put on Amiodorone with a view to cardioversion. However, I went into Ventricular Tachycardia whilst on an exercise bike and had to be cardioverted out of that dangerous rhythm. I was OK for about 3 days but then went into Atrial Flutter, which is different from Atrial Fibrillation. I had an ICD fitted in case I ever went back into VT and was switched from Amiodorone to Digoxin. Underlying all this is a Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

I was referred for Flutter Ablation but the ECG showed that I was no longer in flutter but back in fibrillation. Ablation is much more successful for flutter than it is for fibrillation. In addition, my ICD is pacing me to get me back upto 70 BPM indicating that the Digoxin is slowing my heart down too much. I'm now off the digoxin and will be back on the amiodorone in a few days and will also have my ICD reprogrammed. They then want to cardiovert me again and possibly add a third lead to my ICD.

I asked about cycling as I was cycling when I went into VT. I am told it is OK but to keep within a comfortable zone, ie, don't push it. If I can talk whilst cycling or sing to myself, it's OK.

When I went into VT I was on the bike in the shed wearing a chest band transmitting to a PC. I knew something had changed when my heart rate shot up to 163 from it's more usual 130 but wouldn't come down even when I backed off. Even 30 mins laid on the bed with a finger pulse monitor showed a steady 163. So, I went to A&E. Odd thing is, I felt OK and if I hadn't had a HRM, I wouldn't have known a thing about it, until I started to feel ill three hours later. By that time though, I was already in A&E.

Having learned that monitoring heart rate during exercise when you have a heart condition can save your life, I have stuck to cycling in the shed where I can monitor it. I set the upper alarm at 115. I have a wrist watch type monitor and chestband to warn me if I go out. I use it when walking and will use it when cycling in warmer weather.

The important thing is to detect when your heart is beating above a nice safe limit, so you can slow down immediately, and not have to wait until you feel ill before you slow down.

A light hearted look at some arhythmias: