6 activities you can do with AFib

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood like it should. It’s a type of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. "AFib is one of the most common arrhythmias cardiologists take care of," says Donald Orth, MD, a cardiologist in Voorhees, New Jersey.

Arrhythmias are caused by abnormalities in the heart's electrical system, which usually keeps the heartbeat regular. They can stem from medical conditions that affect the heart, such as coronary artery disease (the most common form of heart disease), high blood pressure, infection, or sleep apnea (when the airway momentarily collapses and causes breathing to stop and re-start for brief periods of time during sleep). Sometimes, we don’t know why arrhythmias happen.

Medications, surgery, and electrical cardioversion (which uses electricity to shock the heart back into a regular rhythm) are used to treat arrhythmias, including AFib. If AFib goes untreated, it can lead to complications such as blood clots, which can cause a stroke.

Treating the underlying cause of AFib is the first thing a healthcare provider (HCP) will seek to do. Once your AFib is under control, it can take some time to resume your regular activities. But they’re typically safe after your HCP approves.

Here's what you need to know about living with an irregular heartbeat.