AFib is a highly prevalent heart complication. It is so widespread that at the age of 60, 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. experience it. For the population over 80, it rises to almost 1 in 10. The quickened and irregular heartbeat reminds people of heart failure or stroke, which can be incredibly terrifying. But, there is one particular problem when living with this condition, and that is energy. A lot of people are wondering if there is a connection between fatigue and AFib?
The truth is, it does.
However, it affects people in various ways. If you want to regain control of your energy levels and AFib, you’ve come to the right place. This is a detailed guideline on how to manage fatigue with this condition and take control of your life.
Where Is the Exhaustion Coming From?
A standard healthy heart rate should be around 60 to 100 beats a minute. When a person experiences an AFib episode, the heart rate can increase to over 180 beats a minute.
This erratic quivering is the first sign of trouble. It puts a lot of pressure on the atria (the upper heart chamber) and stimulates an irregular contraction. When that happens, the blood doesn’t completely leave the atria. Instead, it might form a pool in the heart, which could increase the chance of clotting.
When your heart is beating so fast, particularly for a long time, you will start to feel exhausted. That’s because the heart is not doing its job properly.
According to experts, the blood that’s rich in oxygen can’t get to the brain and the body. This is depleting the body of stamina, which causes mental fatigue. The same thing can happen when a lot of fluid builds up in the legs, ankles, or feet.
If there is something adding too much pressure to the body, that pressure will make us feel very tired. That’s what happens to the energy levels and AFib.
5 Tips to Handle Fatigue and AFib Effectively
For some individuals, the condition can take a massive toll on their energy. Between exhaustion, weariness, and drowsiness, fatigue, and AFib become a draining disorder. Here are a few tips that can help restore your vigor.
1. Revamp Your Eating Routine
For your body to get the energy it needs, you have to provide it with all the necessities. In other words, you should include:
- Smaller portions
- Plenty of vitamins & nutrients
- The healthy kinds of food
The body needs a natural source of energy, something it can process by itself. That’s where a healthy diet comes into play.
Variety of proteins, unrefined carbs, veggies, and fruits, you will be taking your daily dose of nutrients.
But, to prevent fatigue in the long haul, you should opt for smaller but more frequent meals. According to Harvard Health, if you eat extremely large portions, it will take a while for the body to process the food. Therefore, you will feel sluggish and weak.
Smaller portions trick the brain into changing the perception of fatigue and reserving the energy for later.
2. Watch Out for Magnesium Deficiency
Patients with AFib are prone to magnesium deficiency. This deficiency can manifest in cramps, exhaustion, and muscle twitching.
By adding more magnesium to your system, you will boost your energy levels and strengthen the muscle tissues. While you can get the minimum magnesium amount through your diet, it might be best to include a supplement as well.
3. Exercise
Try to divide your physical activity into shorter segments. That way, you can store the energy you have for later use.
For example, if you have a lot of errands to run, try to space them out throughout the entire day.
With enough walking and resting, you will balance out the cardio and replenish the energy.
Eventually, you will find the best time when your energy is at its peak. Use this pattern to your advantage and plan all the physical activities strategically.
4. Leave Time for Long and Restful Naps
Sleep is vital for everyone, but for people with AFib, it is even more important. The key to recovering your energy is to get a perfect rest. If you have a busy schedule, you should modify it to leave plenty of hours for sleep.
Note: Try to avoid caffeine. It is a known trigger for an AFib episode.
5. Tailor the Treatment Plan to Your Needs
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with the condition, odds are, you’ve also started taking medications. They are a practical solution for controlling the triggers. But, what most people don’t realize is that the dose will have to change after some time.
If you are taking beta-blockers, you might start to feel a little sluggish. That’s because these meds are known for causing exhaustion. If the tiredness becomes too overbearing, you should consult with your doctor. They will either change the dose or suggest a completely different medication.
Final Thoughts
Fatigue is a real problem when living with AFib. The good thing is, you have plenty of ways to manage it. All the options we listed here can help you stay on track. Were they helpful? An easy and effective way how to follow your AFib condition while taking into account these tips is electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring with help of modern devices. ECG devices and related apps let you monitor your heart on your own and follow heart trends to recognize problems and act to prevent them before it is too late.
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