* FITNESS You Should Move The right level of activity with AFib can improve your quality of life
Your heart pumps to a strong, steady beat when it operates normally. Its electrical system tells its muscles when to contract and pump blood to the rest of your body. But if you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), your heart short-
circuits, beating too quickly and irregularly. Your heart can feel as though it’s racing, fluttering or skipping beats. You may wonder how AFib will affect your day-to-day life
— for example, whether exercising, having sex or engaging in physical tasks at home or at work might trigger an AFib episode or hurt your heart. Good news: In general, it’s perfectly safe — and beneficial
— to stay physically active while living with AFib. But everyone is different, so talk with your healthcare provider about finding the right level of activity for you. Studies show that compared to people with AFib who
don’t exercise, those who do exercise have fewer AFib episodes, go to the hospital less often and report a better quality of life. One recent study found that people with AFib who
exercised regularly had a significantly lower risk of death from cardiovascular causes. This finding held true even after researchers took into account the participants’ gender, age and stroke risk.
Why Exercise? Regular physical activity has numerous benefits. Activity strengthens your heart. When you exercise, your
heart works harder, your blood vessels open and how well your blood moves throughout your body improves. This helps protect against other heart conditions, such as heart failure, which can develop in people with AFib. Being more active also helps you lose weight. Studies
show that losing weight can help ease symptoms and episodes of AFib in some people. Coupled with a heart- healthy eating plan, being physically active can help you shed extra pounds. Stress worsens AFib, but regular exercise helps reduce
stress. Exercise is a natural stress-buster, so find the time to get moving each day — whether at home, at work or at the gym. Embrace finding your inner calm. Activities focused on deep breathing, such as yoga, have been shown to be particularly beneficial for stress reduction. You will feel better! Moving your body boosts feel-good
hormones and tends to set you on the right path to make healthy food choices. Regular exercise can help you sleep better and can even improve your sex drive.
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Setting Fitness Goals AFib affects millions of people, and not every rule applies to every person. Your healthcare provider will help you to determine the activity level you should target. This goal will depend on factors such as: v Your physical condition and your pre-AFib level of activity. v Other health conditions you have. v Medicines you are taking. v Previous surgeries, procedures or devices you have. Keep in mind that certain medications can lower your
normal heart rate, so using standard targets set on elliptical machines, treadmills and other exercise equipment may not be accurate for you. Also, these machines, as well as wrist-worn devices, don’t always give an accurate reading. Experts say it’s best to use a chest strap, which is similar to an ECG. If you take a blood thinner, remember that it can make bleeding or bruising more likely. You may need to avoid some activities. Also, you should always wear protective gear such as a bike helmet, regardless of the laws in your state.
Talk With Your Healthcare Team Ask your provider how much and which types of physical activity are safe for you. Start by describing your fitness level and exercise routines prior to having AFib. Questions you may want to ask: v How much exercise should I get each week? v What level of exertion is OK? v Which activities might trigger episodes of AFib? v Which symptoms should I watch for during exercise? v Is it OK to have sex? v What should my target heart rate be? v How much water should I drink while exercising? v Can I drive, or can I operate heavy machinery? If you have certain risk factors or other types of heart
disease, your provider may want you to take an exercise stress test before beginning a new exercise routine.
Symptoms to Watch For Listen to your body. If you feel short of breath, dizzy or have chest pain or discomfort, it’s time to back off. Ask your provider which other symptoms might indicate an episode of AFib or other heart problem. Also make sure you know when to dial 911.
For more information, visit
CardioSmart.org/AFib.
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