Can i exercise after cardioversion

Atrial fibrillation, often called AFib for short, is a common cause of an irregular heart rhythm. When your heart beats out of rhythm, this is known as heart arrhythmia. Your heart relies on a regular rhythm that comes from an electrical pattern in its chambers.

Transient episodes of AFib occur in what is called paroxysmal AFib. With chronic AFib, the heart has this arrhythmia at all times. Treatments are available for AFib, and you can still live an active life with this condition.

AFib can be a concern for several reasons. Firstly, the lack of effective heart contractions makes blood swirl and pool in the atria. As a result, you can develop blood clots that can go anywhere in the body. If a clot goes into the brain, it can cause a stroke.

If a clot goes into a lung, it can cause a pulmonary embolism. Secondly, if the heart beats too fast, the rapid heart rate can lead to heart failure.

Heart failure means that your heart muscle is unable to pump effectively or fill with enough blood. Thirdly, untreated AFib can lead to other heart arrhythmia-related problems, including chronic fatigue and depression. Learn more: Heart failure ». One of the most common symptoms of AFib is tiring more easily when you exercise.

Other AFib symptoms that can make exercising more difficult include:. AFib can make exercise difficult because your heart may start to race. A racing heart can make your blood pressure drop and cause you to feel faint. In this case, strenuous exercise can be more harmful than helpful. In many cases, exercising with AFib can help you live a stronger life.

Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight, which can prevent heart failure from worsening. There are also benefits to physical activity that are especially helpful if you have AFib, including slowing your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure. Having a good quality of life is an important goal if you have AFib, and exercise can help relieve anxiety and stress.

After Your Electrical Cardioversion Procedure After the procedure is completed, you will be moved to a recovery room, where nurses will keep an eye on you until you wake up from the sedative. Life After Electrical Cardioversion No matter how well your electrical cardioversion procedure works, the most important factor in its continued success is you. Talk to your doctor about the following: A heart-healthy diet Getting enough exercise Moderation with alcohol Quitting smoking Weight loss As always, you should have good communication with your doctor and your medical team.

Learn More To learn more about procedures used to treat atrial fibrillation, visit the SecondsCount Atrial Fibrillation information center found here. Heart News 1 2 3 4 5 Next ». What Causes Atrial Fibrillation? View All News. More HeartSmarts for You Act F. Preventing a Stroke. About Apixaban Eliquis. About Dabigatran Pradaxa. About Rivaroxaban Xarelto.

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For example, call if: You have trouble breathing. You passed out lost consciousness. You cough up pink, foamy mucus and you have trouble breathing. You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include: Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest. Shortness of breath. Nausea or vomiting. Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders or arms.

Light-headedness or sudden weakness. A fast or irregular heartbeat. After you call , the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength or 2 to 4 low-dose aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself. You have symptoms of a stroke. These may include: Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.

Sudden vision changes. Sudden trouble speaking. Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements. Sudden problems with walking or balance. A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if: You have new or worse nausea or vomiting.

You have new or increased shortness of breath. You are dizzy or light-headed, or you feel like you may faint. Edited 4 months ago. I see the advice I got from the doctors and nurse practitioner is different from what I see here, but it could be because my situation may have been more severe than others.

The last cardioversion had the desired effect. My next door neighbor got one as an outpatient and he was exercising regularly a day later. I have been advised to go very light. Dog walks and going up the stairs at work all the time and grass cutting once a week during summer and snow removal 4 times a month.

The advice I got was to continue walking to add 5 minutes to each walk after starting on a 10 minute walk. A couple of weeks after being released - I purchased a fossil smart watch and have it to check on my heart rate every 4 minutes.

I did 9 km walk, taking a 45 minute rest at the halfway point and never saw my heart rate go above 90 up. While resting or waking up - its 50 to I was contacted by an organization called "Regional Cardiovascular Rehab" about 2 weeks after I was released and will be getting in touch with an exercise co-ordinator. I would really like to jog , cut the grass and walk much longer. I think as I am eating much healthier, I am more energetic.

I am hoping someone from there contacts me soon. Join this discussion or start a new one? We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters.