How to Exercise Safely When You Have Atrial Fibrillation

“The relationship between exercise and atrial fibrillation isn’t straightforward,” says Ayman Hussein, MD, a cardiologist and heart rhythm disorder specialist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. While most forms of exercise are beneficial to heart health and protective against afib and its symptoms, “exercise is not always protective,” says Dr. Hussein. “Whereas mild- or moderate-intensity exercise is typically protective, intense exercise typically carries a higher risk of atrial fibrillation.”

If you’re not accustomed to regular exercise and you’ve received an afib diagnosis, it’s very important to ease your way into an exercise routine. People with afib “need to progressively build strength and endurance,” Hussein says.

Regardless of how new you are to exercise, it’s a good idea to keep track of your pulse both at peak activity and while you’re recovering, Hussein says. Your doctor can recommend a target heart rate range for exercise.

Here are six types of exercise that may be beneficial if you have atrial fibrillation:

1. Cardiac Rehabilitation Training with a specialist in a medically monitored setting may be a good way to start exercising if you’ve been hospitalized for afib, Hussein says.

3. Swimming Swimming and other pool-based aerobic exercises can be a good way to work out “but not at a competitive level, from an afib-risk standpoint,” says Hussein. If you find yourself out of breath or feel like you’re otherwise having difficulty, it’s important to get out of the pool and sit down for a while, he says.

4. Bicycling Using a stationary or regular bicycle can be a good form of activity, but make sure to maintain a mild or moderate intensity. Avoid settings that encourage heavy exertion, such as a spin class.

No matter what activity you’re doing, if you experience any symptoms related to atrial fibrillation, such as lightheadedness or chest pain or pressure, stop and rest for a while. And if you have more serious symptoms, such as intense chest pain, go to the emergency room immediately or call your local emergency services.

The relationship between exercise and atrial fibrillation follows what’s known as a “J curve,” where, in this type of J-shaped diagram, the curve initially falls and then rises above the starting point much like the shape of the letter J.

But remember, in general, it’s a good idea for people with atrial fibrillation to not push themselves too hard when they exercise. “We typically ask them to do it in moderation, and not to push their limits,” Hussein says.

• Moderate-intensity exercise, such as leisurely biking, has heart-protective benefits when you have atrial fibrillation. It can reduce the severity of symptoms, risk of afib recurrence, and length of episodes. But doctors advise not pushing yourself too hard when exercising.
• If you’re new to exercise, doctors recommend easing into it, starting with 5 to 10 minutes each day, to lower the risk of injury and worsening symptoms.
• Safe exercises to try with afib include training with a specialist through a cardiac rehabilitation program, walking, swimming, bicycling, doing physical chores, and practicing yoga.
• If you experience symptoms such as lightheadedness or chest pain, stop and rest. If you have intense chest pain, head to the nearest emergency room or call your local emergency services.