Exercising with AFib: Top Workouts That Support Heart Health

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a condition where the heart beats irregularly and often rapidly, which can lead to blood clots, heart failure, and stroke. It occurs when the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) beat out of sync with the lower chambers (the ventricles), disrupting the heart’s normal rhythm and efficiency. With AFib expected to affect (ref. link) 6–12 million people in the U.S. by 2050 and nearly 18 million in Europe by 2060(ref. link), more individuals are now asking important lifestyle questions, including whether exercising with AFib is safe. The good news is that staying active can offer real benefits when done with care, and this blog explores how.

Is Exercise Beneficial for People with Atrial Fibrillation?

Exercise can be beneficial for people with atrial fibrillation (AF) as it can help improve cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. However, it’s important for people with AF to be careful with the type and intensity of exercise they do, as some activities may be more or less suitable depending on the severity of the condition and the presence of any underlying medical conditions.

What Are The General Guidelines for Exercising with AFib?

• Talk to your healthcare provider: It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program. They can help you determine the exercises that are safe and appropriate for you.
• Start slowly: If you haven’t been exercising regularly, it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity of your workouts over time. This can help reduce the risk of overexertion..
• Avoid high-intensity activities: High-intensity activities, such as running or cycling, may be too strenuous for some people with AF. It’s generally recommended to stick to low-to-moderate-intensity activities, such as walking, swimming, or yoga.
• Take breaks as needed: If you start to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or short of breath during exercise, it’s important to stop and rest. These may be signs that your heart is working too hard.

It’s also important to be mindful of your heart rate during exercise. It’s generally recommended to keep your heart rate below 140 beats per minute during exercise. You can use a heart monitor  to track a range of different important heart related metrics in real time as you workout. Overall, it’s important to listen to your body and exercise at a level that is comfortable and sustainable for you. It’s also important to follow any specific guidelines or recommendations provided by your healthcare provider.

Adopting exercises is one of the most crucial things you can do to manage your Atrial Fibrillation. The American Heart Association (ref. link) states that regularly engaging in AFib exercises will help to enhance heart structure and function. Regular exercise is also known to improve your quality of life by reducing symptoms and enhancing your capacity to carry out routine activities. In addition, AFib sufferers who exercise had fewer AFib episodes, fewer hospitalisations, and a higher quality of life than those who do not. Your AFib symptoms and how you are feeling will, however, determine how much exercise you can get in.

If you’ve just been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, and you are not used to working out, it is crucial to gradually include exercise into your routine. However, remember to consult your cardiologist first. The type of AFib exercises you will be recommended depends upon your age, general health, level of fitness, past activity history, weight, and overall cardiac condition.

Let’s look at the five best exercises for AFib that are safe.

Walking

According to a recent Harvard University study (ref. link), 2.5 hours per week of walking could add up to seven years to your life. Walking is one of the best forms of AFIB exercise. 

Yoga

Yoga is well known for its many health advantages, such as lowering stress levels, increasing strength, and increasing flexibility. Also, practicing yoga helps people with Atrial Fibrillation control their heart rhythm and enhance their overall health. According to a study, yoga helps (ref. link) Atrial Filtration (AFib) patients reduce their symptoms and improve their heart rate and blood pressure

Cycling

Cycling can be a good form of exercise for people with atrial fibrillation (AF), as it is a low-impact activity that can improve cardiovascular fitness and lower blood pressure. However, it’s important for people with AF to be careful about the intensity of their cycling workouts, as some activities may be more or less suitable depending on the severity of their condition and the presence of any underlying medical conditions.

Swimming

Swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise for people with Atrial Fibrillation. Pool-based aerobic workouts help improve cardiovascular fitness without putting too much strain on the heart. They’re gentle on the joints and can support overall heart health while reducing the risk of overexertion.

Is Jogging or Running Recommended for People with Atrial Fibrillation?

Jogging and running can be high-intensity activities that may not be suitable for everyone with atrial fibrillation (AF). The intensity of these activities may be too strenuous for some people with AF, especially if the condition is severe or if there are any underlying medical conditions present.

It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program, including jogging or running. They can help you determine the types and amounts of exercise that are safe and appropriate for you based on the severity of your AF and any underlying medical conditions.

If your healthcare provider advises against running or jogging, there are still plenty of other low- to moderate-intensity activities that may be suitable for you, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. It’s important to find an activity that you enjoy and is sustainable over time. Start slowly if you are new to the exercises. A wonderful place to start is with low-impact activities like walking, yoga, biking, swimming, and even doing physical work around the house. No matter what you’re doing, stop and take a break if you encounter any Atrial Fibrillation-related symptoms, such as lightheadedness, chest pain, or pressure.

It is simple to consider changing your lifestyle, but it takes time and effort to implement a system that will keep you committed to seeing genuine results. The correct AFib exercises can go a long way towards assisting you in managing your AFib and achieving a healthy and fulfilling quality of life. 

As mentioned before, one of the best ways to make sure your workout is helping your heart, and not hurting it, is by using a smart heart monitor. Purchase the revolutionary Frontier X2 and get all the data you need to stay on top of your heart health!

Frequently Asked Questions :

Is exercise safe for people with AF?

Exercise can be safe and beneficial for people with AF, as it can help improve cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. However, it’s important for people with AF to be careful about the type and intensity of exercise they do, as some activities may be more or less suitable depending on the severity of the condition and the presence of any underlying medical conditions. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program.

What types of exercise are safe for people with AF?

Low to moderate-intensity activities, such as walking, swimming, and cycling, are generally considered safe for people with AF. High-intensity activities, such as running or cycling, may be too strenuous for some people with AF. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the types of exercise that are safe and appropriate for you.

How do I know if I’m exercising at the right intensity?

It’s generally recommended to keep your heart rate below 140 beats per minute during exercise. You can use a heart rate monitor or take your pulse manually to track your heart rate. If you start to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or short of breath during exercise, it’s important to stop and rest. These may be signs that your heart is working too hard.

What should I do if I feel unwell during exercise?

If you start to feel unwell during exercise, it’s important to stop and rest. If your symptoms persist or if you feel chest pain or discomfort, it’s important to seek medical attention right away.

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