Posted by Mike Ware on February 02, 2003 at 12:16:56:
In Reply to: In the dark posted by Jeremy Thomas on February 01, 2003 at 02:30:17:
Jeremy, the first step is to determine if there is an underlying heart disease or thyroid problem that is causing your afib. Just because you are in good shape and can exercise rigorously, doesn't rule out heart disease. Last year, three doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital who were avid joggers all died while jogging (two the same weekend!). A stress test won't even indicate a problem unless your arteries are more than 80% blocked.
The challenge you have is finding a doctor who will view your afib as serious enough to justify running all the tests necessary to find if you have an underlying cause for afib or if you have Lone Afib. I think many, or perhaps even most doctors, view afib as a fairly benign condition that you should live with by taking a blood thinner and a rate or rhythm control drug. For those like you and many of us on this Maze Board, who enjoy running, biking, hiking, aerobics and the like, afib and energy robbing drugs are not acceptable. Taking a risk to be cured of afib is a better alternative.
If you haven't looked at the Cleveland Clinic info on afib, check it out as it has some good info. The URL is http://www.clevelandclinic.org/heartcenter/pub/atrial_fibrillation/afib.htm
If you have Lone Afib, exercising while you are not experiencing afib is no problem, but while experiencing afib, do only what is comfortable (to guard against excessive heart rates). Of course, if you have some underlying heart disease, any exercise needs to be discussed with your doctor first.
Some forms of afib tend to be induced by exercise and others are not. For example, mine almost always started while I was sleeping. Start a record of your afib episodes to keep track of when they start, how long they last, and what may have triggered them.
The people who post on this board can help you through the process of finding answers and help. Keep us posted on your progress towards a cure.
M.