Atrial fibrillation is the most common irregular heart rhythm that starts in the atria. While it is often a mere annoyance, it can also be responsible for life-threatening medical emergencies that result in cardiac arrest, stroke and sudden death.
Take advantage of this rare opportunity to chat live on June 13 with atrial fibrillation experts from the Cleveland Clinic and the founder of StopAfib.org.
To learn more, see: Atrial fibrillation experts from the Cleveland Clinic will answer your afib questions on June 13, 2011
Coming out of anesthesia after shoulder surgery I went into A-Fib for the first time that I’m aware of. I was rushed to the ER where It stopped by itself after about 5 hours. The cardiologist tells me that I must now stop my 30″ elliptical exercise that gets my heart rate up to between 120-130 bpm (I’m almost 65), and replace it with moderate 10″ cardio workouts. Also, that I shouldn’t walk for exercise for more than 30″ and that I should re-emphasize weight training because it affects the heart differently than cardio. This seems contrary to what we’ve been told about exercise strengthening the heart. Help!
Carolyn,
While exercise strengthens the heart overall, your cardiologist is trying to keep your heart rate down and avoid getting it too high for prolonged periods of time. It’s best to follow those instructions. Athletes are particularly prone to afib.
Mellanie
What is the protocol for using tamoxifen on patients who have paroxymal A-Fibs, given that strokes are more probably with both the drug and condition?
Stephanie,
I’m sorry that I don’t have any knowledge of that. Can anyone help?
Mellanie
Carolyn,
I exercise for 90 minutes 4 days/week – slow swimming or walking or elliptical – try to keep my heart rate around 100 bpm – and do OK – ask your cardiologist to let you exercise with a Holter monitor on and see if exercise is causing your afib to act up or not – not everyone gets afib with exercise. My triggers are caffeine, alcohol and particularly stress and moving around seems to help more than hurt.
Pam
Any news on stem cell research for A-Fib? Sounds like my only choice at this point is an ablation and am really hoping for another option. I have chronic A-Fib with no known cause…..