Weight lifting after an ablation

IF it was in fact AF, then it seems your heart is telling you that the strain or stress is objectionable to it. It is normal for there to be one-five minor episodes of AF in a typical patient's blanking period experience, but the later in those three months it happens suggests a poor prognosis (I have read literature about this, and this is what I took away from my interpretation of what I read). On the other hand, some earlier-in-the-blanking-period AF is usually benign and self-extinquishing. The Holter Monitor or similar assessment tool administered at about the 12 week mark post-ablation will tell the tale with a high degree of accuracy, but not 100%. If no AF or ectopy shows in the recording, it may still be the case that the ablation was not successful if AF resumes in the weeks and months that follow up to a full year. The one year mark is where an ablation is deemed to be successful if no measurable AF is found. I'm not sure how much you know about this, so I'm just filling in some basic thinking about practices widely undertaken across the electrophysiology field.

You may be able to resume weight lifting in a few months when your heart has calmed fully. For now, and I would guess that a qualified medical practitioner would reply likewise if consulted, I would 'give it a rest.'

I would like to follow this post because I just had an ablation procedure and want to get back to weightlifting but was cautioned by doc to wait for 2 months. I by no means lift heavy weights but I am losing every ounce of muscle tone as we speak.

@debmonroe I think you might find that you can successfully retain a lot of your muscle mas and strength by using resistance bands on one limb at a time for multiple repeats. Nothing too crazy. Muscles like to be 'stroked', but they don't need stroking at the previous rate to retain 90% of what they had. If you were powerlifting 40kg, maybe try 20 kg of rubber band/bungee resistance training, while seated if possible to keep the strain on your heart manageable, and see if twice a day for the next 60 days doesn't retain much of what you fear losing. What have you got to lose by foregoing this potentially saving method? More muscle?

I am not a qualified coach, weight lifter, medical practitioner, or lecturer. I do know, from my varied readings, that isometric exercises are great for blood pressure control and for retaining muscle mass and strengthening ligaments and connective tissues. However, they can put a strain on the heart that mere resistance with reps won't normally do.

Excellent info! Thank you for taking the time to respond! Best, Jim B

@debmonroe
I started lifting weights again one week after my ablation ( with my Doctor’s OK). It was fine and I work out pretty aggressively. Good luck!

@doug48 thank you for the encouragement. Happy lifting!