Atrial Fibrillation is an irregular and often fast heart rate. Having this condition increase a person’s risk of having blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart diseases. The risk of developing Atrial Fibrillation usually increases with age and other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and underlying heart disease. Being overweight and a lack of physical activity can also cause Atrial Fibrillation.
There is a lot of evidence that supports the fact that exercise helps people that have Atrial Fibrillation. Studies suggest that regular exercise can help control an irregular heartbeat. Australian researchers found that “cardiorespiratory fitness” reduced the risk that this potentially dangerous heartbeat will return by as much as 84% – even more than losing weight (Reinberg 2015). That study adds to the growing evidence that exercise is an import factor in controlling Atrial Fibrillation. Patients in this study were followed for four years. The participants were divided into three groups. A high fitness group, an adequate fitness group and a low fitness group. After four years 84% in the high fitness group did not have Atrial Fibrillation compared with 76% in the moderate group and 17% in the low fitness group. That means that eight-three percent of people in the low fitness group still had Atrial Fibrillation. Weight loss counselling was available to all of the participants.
It is advisable for Atrial Fibrillation patients to speak with their Doctor before commencing with an exercise program. The program should start at a low level and increase slowly over time. In most cases cardiovascular, resistance and flexibility exercises are recommended. If performed on a regular basis, exercise can help to reduce blood pressure and can thin a person’s blood. That will hopefully lead to a reduced risk of having a stroke, heart attack or other heart problems for individuals that have Atrial Fibrillation.
References: healthline.com Nall Rachael R.H. 2017, webmd.com Reinberg Steven, 2015