Originally Posted by 50PlusCycling

I've had some issues with AFIB, which began after my last COVID shot. During the first attack they attached a portable EKG and put me on medication. Over a couple of weeks, the symptoms began to subside, and as soon as the EKG was taken off, I got back on my bike and started riding. I kept the distances short and the intensity low, but even so, my heart rate stayed up in the anaerobic zone. But in time, as I continued riding, gradually increasing my distance and intensity, my heart rate came down, the AFIB and arrhythmia symptoms eventually went away. I was taken off medication, and simply kept riding my bike for at least 3 hours per week.

But, I found that if I stop riding for 5 or more weeks, my heart rate begins to increase, and the arrhythmia symptoms begin to creep back. I find that caffeine greatly aggravates symptoms, and alcohol has a mild but noticeable effect. Getting back on my bike and getting back into shape causes the symptoms to subside and eventually vanish altogether. My blood pressure is normal, it hasn't changed since I was in high school, my blood chemistry is good, my cholesterol numbers are normal. My last exam and x-ray showed no heart issues or abnormalities. In my case, cycling seems to be a good treatment for the issue, and my doctor says I should continue.

All this was brought home this summer as I was kept off the bike for most of the last 2 months, and the symptoms gradually reared up again as my fitness began to decline. I've gotten back on my bike despite the heat and humidity, and after a week, I am already seeing an improvement. I kind of feel like I'm being chased and have to keep running to avoid being caught. But at least cycling has no negative side effects, and it is something I very much enjoy doing.