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FAQs Coping with A-Fib: Circulation
“Is there any way I can improve my circulation, without having to undergo a Catheter Ablation (poor success rate and risky at my age) or Surgery (even more risky)? I am in Chronic A-Fib. I feel tired and a little light-headed, probably because my atria aren’t pumping properly.”
In theory, yes. In Chronic A-Fib it’s not unusual to feel tired and light-headed. Your atria are fibrillating instead of pumping blood into the ventricles. Blood flow to your brain and other organs is reduced by about 15%-30%. But your ventricles still function by suctioning blood from the atria much like a turkey baster sucks up liquid.
To some extent, you can improve the strength and capacity of your ventricles by exercise, such as by walking on a treadmill or at the shopping mall.
You can also improve the oxygen saturation of your blood by using an Oxygen Concentrator ($500-$1,000). While on a treadmill, for example, you can breath in concentrated oxygen through a cannula (short tubes in your nostrils). You can measure how much oxygen is in your blood by using an pulse oximeter ($50). The desired range is 95-100% oxygen saturation. (Some athletes with good circulation use this technique to improve their athletic performance.)
The Bottom Line: the real question is whether these techniques will improve your A-Fib symptoms of feeling tired and light-headed. I’m unaware of any studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the above techniques for the symptoms of Chronic A-Fib.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Monday, February 13, 2017
Back to FAQs: Coping with Your A-Fib
