Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group

Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.

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jcolacino 10/25/2011

I am fairly new to AFIB and my doctors and Cardiologist diagnosed "Lone Atrial Fib in my case. I am an otherwise healthy 44 year old male but have an incredible amount of stress from my work. I take 50mg Metoprolol each morning and for ahile, I think it really helped. Recently, I had an increase in my stress as my girlfriend and I broke up. Losing her was a cause for incredible anxiety for me and the past few days, I feel the AFIB much more active. My question is... do other here feel that stress triggers their afib or make it worse? I hate this feeling so much!

Also, has anyone found ANY technique(s) to help reduce the intensity or duration of an episode?

I don't want to try an ablation just yet because truthfully... It scares me to death!

Take care...
Jim Colacino

deleted_user 10/25/2011

Stress can be a trigger, but honestly, triggers are hard to pinpoint.

I too have lone AF and had never heard of it before I had my first episode 3 years ago. If you do decide on an ablation, find an EP who is up to date on the newest methods and does a lot of them. You want someone who is well experienced.

Take care.

pacyetep 10/25/2011

I've read that stress can be a cause and trigger for afib on enough websites to believe it. I also started with afib during a time I had incredible stress and uncertainty in many areas of my life.

I also read that anger/hostility and a sense of urgency are personality markers (or it can be situational) in some cases for afib.

tomorrowsdream 10/26/2011

Me too....stress within my dys-fun-ctional family started my A-Fib...that I know for sure. Try Yoga...it really helps. I just had a failed ablation, so you don't want to hear my views on it:) I also take metoprolol 50 mg. bid and it's all I need to control the A-Fib. Perhaps you need a larger dose. Hope things get better for you. When a door closes a window opens:)

missd12932 10/26/2011

Ask your Dr for a mild tranq to help you get through the bad times. Plus yoga and talking to the people on this blog who have been through everything afib.. And are dealing with it in their own way.
Miss Dee

RN52 10/26/2011

I too found stress to be a very big tigger. I went into persistent afib in 2010. I had several major family crises that year. When I had paroxysmal afib, I never really did find any method to shorten an episode. I found it very difficult to take many of the meds due to side effects. I was on atenolol 25mg and flecainide 50 mg twice a day, when I went into persistent afib. I couldn't take a larger dose because my blood pressure would "bottom out." It's basically trial and error until the cardiologist and you find a medication that you can tolerate and keeps things under control. Good luck! Yoga and or meditation do sound like very good ideas.

jcolacino 10/26/2011

Thanks to everyone for writing. I will try to reduce my stress level and work with my doctor until I find a solution.

It helps to have friends take the time to help. I can't thank you enough!

Jim

pacyetep 10/26/2011

From the Cleveland Clinic:

Dr__Van_Wagoner: Stress is a risk factor for AF, perhaps due to increased sympathetic nerve activity. It sounds like stress reduction would be helpful, if challenging. If you are able to make time for exercise, this may help with sleeping and stress reduction. In a recent randomized clinical trial, short-term use of omega-3 pills did not help to prevent AF recurrence. As half of the recurrences occurred in the first two weeks of treatment, it is unclear if a benefit would have been detected with longer treatment. Omega-3 fatty acids can help to slow heart rate. If your resting heart rate is elevated, there may be a possible benefit.

marikay234 10/30/2011

Stress is a big trigger for me. I am an RN in a large family practice clinic and one of the receptionists had an issue with a patient. She burst into my office and started ranting (venting) and HER stress put me right into a fib!
Any means of stress reduction may be helpful for you. Yoga (especially deep breathing), exercise, meditation, calming music, etc.
The suggestion of antianxiety medication is also good. I found that taking an ativan at the start of an episode will shorten it for me.

deleted_user 11/01/2011

Jim - I'll add to the voices that stress can be a trigger. I've been working on trying to find out if I might have a bit of sleep apnea as well since I haven't slept really well in years. I'm also walking more, trying to learn to meditate a bit, and generally trying NOT to let things I can't control get to me. Easier said than done. Best wishes to you. Stay in touch with this group - it's a great place with great people.

deleted_user 11/06/2011

Stress can be a huge factor with A-Fib as far as I am concerned. I developed it after my husband passed away very suddenly. I was 48 at the time. I have chronic A-Fib now , three cardioversions failed to keep me regular. I have learned to live with it, but am still hoping to find better answers. I manage my stress better, but too much for too long took it's toll

shantima 11/15/2011

Stress is my biggest trigger for afib episodes. Yoga, meditation and deep breathing are extremely helpful. Sometimes I can shorten an episode with deep breathing and it always helps me tolerate it better. A really good meditation is called Metta Meditation. Loving kindness to self.

pacyetep 11/15/2011

Carol Anne: How long did it take for you to become chronic? -Pete

missd12932 11/15/2011

Shantima, I''m glad yoga is working for and with you. where on the internet, is the best place to get a copy of the Metta Meditation?

Thanks Dee

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