Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
A Systematic Review of the Health Benefits of Exercise Rehabilitation in Persons Living With Atrial Fibrillation.
Giacomantonio NB, Bredin SS, Foulds HJ, Warburton DE.
Source
Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Cardiology, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Electronic address: Nicholas.Giacomantonio@cdha.nshealth.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
This systematic review sought to evaluate critically the health benefits of physical activity among persons with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is increasing in Western society. While health benefits of physical activity are well established, benefits of physical activity among individuals with AF are not clearly identified.
METHODS:
Literature was retrieved systematically through searching electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane), cross-referencing, and drawing on the authors' knowledge. Identified original research articles evaluated health benefits of physical activity among persons with AF or effects of physical activity on AF incidence. From 1056 individual citations, 36 eligible articles were identified.
RESULTS:
Moderate-intensity physical activity was found to improve exercise capacity, quality of life, and the ability to carry out activities of daily living among persons with AF (n = 6). Increased incidence of AF was not associated with physical activity among the general population (n = 2), although long-term vigorous endurance exercise may be associated with increased incidence of AF (n = 7), and greater risks may be associated with high-intensity physical activity among those with AF (n = 2). Moderate-intensity physical activity among individuals with AF does not adversely alter training outcomes, functional capacity, morbidity, or mortality compared with those in sinus rhythm (n = 12). Physical activity may improve management and treatment of AF (n = 6) and, among at-risk populations, may reduce incidence of AF (n = 3).
CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, moderate-intensity physical activity should be encouraged among persons with or at risk of AF. Further research is needed.
Copyright 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23200094
Giacomantonio NB, Bredin SS, Foulds HJ, Warburton DE.
Source
Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Cardiology, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Electronic address: Nicholas.Giacomantonio@cdha.nshealth.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
This systematic review sought to evaluate critically the health benefits of physical activity among persons with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is increasing in Western society. While health benefits of physical activity are well established, benefits of physical activity among individuals with AF are not clearly identified.
METHODS:
Literature was retrieved systematically through searching electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane), cross-referencing, and drawing on the authors' knowledge. Identified original research articles evaluated health benefits of physical activity among persons with AF or effects of physical activity on AF incidence. From 1056 individual citations, 36 eligible articles were identified.
RESULTS:
Moderate-intensity physical activity was found to improve exercise capacity, quality of life, and the ability to carry out activities of daily living among persons with AF (n = 6). Increased incidence of AF was not associated with physical activity among the general population (n = 2), although long-term vigorous endurance exercise may be associated with increased incidence of AF (n = 7), and greater risks may be associated with high-intensity physical activity among those with AF (n = 2). Moderate-intensity physical activity among individuals with AF does not adversely alter training outcomes, functional capacity, morbidity, or mortality compared with those in sinus rhythm (n = 12). Physical activity may improve management and treatment of AF (n = 6) and, among at-risk populations, may reduce incidence of AF (n = 3).
CONCLUSIONS:
In conclusion, moderate-intensity physical activity should be encouraged among persons with or at risk of AF. Further research is needed.
Copyright 2012 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23200094
I slowly walked more and more. But it took time. I was out the 5th of Aug and the first time I walked a mile all at one time was Xmas day with my son going with me that day. I would walk to end of field after some weeks twice a day. Then I started going to end of field and back and to the corner and back getting near 1/2 mile. Then do that twice a day. Once I could walk the mile I did it once a day. Dr tells me to keep walking a mile a day. He wants me active. I did buy walking shoes. I do not try to walk real fast. There are days I hate to go walk. This helps me on circulation I think on this metropol.
The Quality of my life is definately enhanced because of whatever exercise I do and I am totally Grateful to be able to Move, Breathe and pursue Happiness!
Just thinking about how exercise helps decrease the risk of dementia, A Fib, depression, diabetes, cancer, etc., etc. gets me moving and out the door!!
D.