Does Stress Cause Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is so sneaky. So is afib really stress in disguise? Afib seems to sneak up on you when you least expect it and you wonder “where did that come from?” It’s hard to pin down an atrial fibrillation cause or trigger when it’s different every time.
For some, it’s triggered by alcohol or caffeine. For others, by certain types of foods or food additives. For some, it may come on during exercise or from something as simple as bending over. For still others, eating late or sleeping on the left side triggers it. It varies all across the board.
In medical information you rarely see mention of stress causing afib, but I think that stress is a huge contributor. Of the patients I’ve interviewed, about 3/4 said that stress was a huge component in bringing on their afib episodes.
Stress certainly could be a factor that leads us to indulge in alcohol, caffeine, or certain foods. But is the food the cause, or is the stress the actual root cause?
Here’s a short video clip of what triggered my afib:
Mellanie True Hills talks about what triggered her atrial fibrillation
We know that the numbers of folks having afib is growing exponentially, which is generally chalked up to Baby Boomers hitting their 60s. But I also see so many younger folks struggling with afib and wonder if the stress epidemic that’s due to our 24/7 lifestyles is causing an afib epidemic, too.
What do you think? Does stress trigger afib for you?
I was told my a-fib was triggered by a heart that was already battered by two surgeries and then a virus. At least that’s how I understood it. I’m only 39, so I’m quite young to have this issue. I also work 11 to 12 hour days and have a high stress job. So I’m guessing that had something to do with it too.
Kristine,
I’m so sorry that your surgeries and virus may have precipitated, or contributed to, your afib. It makes a lot of sense, though, as we’re now starting to understand more about the role of inflammation in afib and heart disease. Recent studies have pointed out that statins–drugs such as Lipitor or Crestor, which are normally used to lower cholesterol–can also help decrease inflammation in those with heart problems. It’s worth discussing with your doctor as a temporary help to reduce that inflammation.
You are much too young to be dealing with this, but I’m constantly amazed at the number of folks I know in their 30s who are dealing with afib. The stress of our 24/7 lives must surely be contributing to this.
Take care of your heart. Is there any way to decrease your work stress? If not, if you can turn bad stress into good stress, based on how you look at things, then it won’t have the same ill effects on you and can surely help.
Life is good, and this is just a temporary setback. It’s good that you’re focusing on what message your afib has for you. That’s healthy, as is your blogging about it.
Good luck with your healing, and helping others to do the same. Thanks for adding your comments here as a fellow “afib sister.” I’m here if I can help.
Mellanie
Hello everyone,
I have been suffering from a fib for a while now, I had my first episode when I was 19 years old and had to be cardio verted back to regular rhythm. I am 25 now and have had about 5 episodes of a fib that did not require a cardio vert because after about 48 my heart went back to it’s regular rhythm. My concern is what is causing these attacks and what I can do to help them, I’ve been taking bisoprolol medication since I was 19 for this problem but I’m tired of taking it. I would really like a natural root to help prevent any more episodes.
I would really appreciate it if anyone can tell me specifically what types of food may trigger these attacks and other things whatever they me be.
Thanks,
Shaun
Shaun,
I’m so sorry you’re fighting the afib beast, too. Are you athletic? When we see atrial fibrillation in younger folks, sometimes it’s related to being an athlete, but not always.
Since you’re so young, you probably have what is called Lone Atrial Fibrillation, which is afib without underlying heart disease. Lone Afib appears to be much less risky, and often responds well to dietary changes.
Often afib is triggered by caffeine, alcohol, food additives, or even just certain foods. Often it’s triggered by deficiencies or imbalances in magnesium, potassium, or other nutrients. And it seems to be different for each of us - thus we’re each an “experiement of one”.
One of the very best resources on using diet to control afib is Hans Larsens’ Lone Atrial Fibrillation forum at http://www.afibbers.org/toboards.htm . You will find a wealth of information there. While there, you may also want to get a copy of Hans’ books. Also check out his questions page (http://www.afibbers.org/faq.htm) to understand the different types of afib (vagal vs. adrenergic). I don’t have enough info from your post to identify which type you have, but if you have vagal afib it’s worth knowing that beta blockers, such as the bisoprolol that you are taking, can actually cause MORE afib. Many doctors aren’t aware of this, especially if they aren’t experts in afib.
If you haven’t already, you may want to see an electrophysiologist (a cardiologist that specializes in heart rhythms). Our StopAfib.org Afib Services Locator (http://www.stopafib.org/find.cfm) may help you with that as it lists Electrophysiologists (EPs), Surgeons, and Afib Centers and Hospitals that specialize in treating afib.
Good luck. Let us know if you have further questions.
Mellanie
I have had a number of AF episodes over the past 7 yrs. Mine first started when I was 48 yrs old and had a hysterectomy. I also am hypothyroid. During my first episodes I went from Hypo to Hyperthyroid, so it was suspected that this was the cause of my A Fib. I was also going through a stressful time since my husband was ill with cancer. Medications don’t seem to convert me to normal rhythm, so I’ve had to be cardio verted that past few times to bring me back to normal rhythm.
I hadn’t had an episode in 4 yrs until t wo days ago. I had altered my diet by eliminating caffeine and limiting alcohol and also increased vitamins and excercise. I thought I was doing well until this last episode happened. My blood work shows that my thyroid is off again, but this time my TSH is 16 (hypo not hyper).
I have been taking 100mcg levothroxin which will now be increased to 112mcg to bring my numbers down.
My doctor feels that my hypothyroidism has been the cause this time. In all of the research I’ve been doing online I’ve seen that hyperthyroidism causes AFib but I haven’t seen anything on hypothyroidism causing it.
Has anyoe els had this experience? Also, could the menopause affect the thyroid and thyroid affect the heart? Could alot of this be homone related?
I am starting to believe stressors aggravate my AF problems.
I have had around six noticeable episodes of AF since 2004, two of them in the past 2 months with this past week as the most recent. These two occurred during very high stress points of my life (the first one being work-related, the other being home-related). I don’t manage my stress well at all, and I tend to turn it inward on myself. In the home-related stress, I had been really upset with my partner over something, and I kept it to myself and acted like nothing was wrong for three days and then BOOM!
Every episode of AF I have worries the hell out of me because I see it as a sign that my heart condition is worsening and that I’m closer to needing a transplant. (I am on the waiting list but on inactive status at this time because I am otherwise doing very well.) And now I’ve had two episodes in two months’ time. I hate this stuff.
I am a 49 year old WM living with LAF since my early 30s. I was in a very stressful marriage during the initial onset of symptoms and strongly suspect the stress caused the onset. I am still in afib on permanent basis and seeking relief.
Christine, Tim, and Florida Rick,
Your posts came in while was on the road speaking for Stroke Month and Women’s Health Week. I could approve your posts from my cell phone browser, but it proved much too cumbersome to post comments from it. I’ll post replies to each of your messages separately.
Mellanie
Christine,
Thanks for sharing your story. I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through.
I don’t have expertise around thyroid conditions, but it seems that if your thyroid being abnormal in one direction can cause afib, then being abnormal in the other direction might, too.
I haven’t seen anything specifically correlating menopause with thyroid, but haven’t researched it either. Hormones and menopause definitely mess up so many things about our bodies that they are probably related to your thyroid issues and your atrial fibrillation.
Are you seeing an electrophysiologist? That’s a cardiologist that specializes in heart rhythms. There are some EPs listed in our Afib Services Locator (http://www.stopafib.org/find.cfm). If you don’t find one in your area let me know and I’ll see if I can help.
Good luck getting this under control.
Mellanie
Tim,
I’m so sorry for all the stress you’ve had and which has brought on and exacerbated your atrial fibrillation
You mention that you’re waiting for a transplant. How low is your heart’s ejection fraction (EF)? I’ve heard of several folks having afib surgery (maze or mini-maze) that brought their ejection fractions back up from in the 20% range to 50% and higher, causing them not to need a transplant. I wonder if that’s an option for you? Please let me know if I can help.
Mellanie
Florida Rick,
I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through and the stress that caused your afib to now be permanent.
It used to be that permanent afib was very difficult to treat and cure. But not any more. There is a brand new approach being used in mini-maze surgery that is having very promising results for those in permanent afib.
It’s my hope that permanent afib is no longer going to be permanent. If you’d like to talk with someone doing it, I’ll be glad to help you find that resource. Just let me know if you’re interested.
Mellanie
Hi Mellanie!
Thanks for your response. To give a bit of background, I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. I am in end-stage because of significant fibrosis of the left ventricle. My condition is such that there is no immediate need for the transplant, and I’ve been on inactive status for a couple years now.
I don’t have my records in front of me, but I believe my EF was around 30% the last time it was checked. I will be having an echo next month, so I’m eager to see if it will show some improvement now that I’ve been exercising lately.
I’m not sure that MAZE would be an option for me because of the fibrosis. At least, MAZE has never been mentioned in any of my doctor consultations. From what little I know about it, doesn’t it involve, more or less, scarring the cardiac tissue?
Either way, having had two episodes of AF in a relatively short amount of time worries me. I am concerned this is an indication of deterioration in my condition. It will certainly be discussed next month when I see my doctors.
Tim
I think my afib was brought on by aclohol and cigarettes followed by a stressful life. Had an external cardioversion which lapsed back yo afib 2 years ago. A recent internal cardioversion failed again after 2 weeks. Condition considered chronic. However while working the 12 steps of AA and handing my life over to God I spontaneously converted back to sinus rythymn.
2 months on still ok, God Willing. I keep working the programme as best I can. Everyone can do the steps and hand it over to God.
I am scheduled for either the mini maze or Cox Maze IV on June 2, 2008. I will make up my mind this weekend and talk with the surgeon on Monday. What did you mean when you said ” There is a brand new approach being used in mini-maze surgery that is having ……..”. ? I have studied this problem for approximately 20 years and am learning more every day.
Florida Rick
Tim,
I’m sorry about the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Fibrosis may not necessarily preclude you from having the surgery. Just the other day a heart surgeon said that having fibrosis doesn’t necessarily keep one from having maze or mini-maze surgery. I interpreted that to mean that it’s really on a case-by-case basis to determine if it’s feasible.
Your doctor may not have mentioned it because he/she doesn’t know it is an option. The surgeon is the only one who can really say whether it’s possible or not. Since you’re concerned, consulting with a surgeon about your individual circumstances might put your mind at ease about the possibiliies. And I have heard of folks who ended up with a normal EF after a mini-maze.
Good luck. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Mellanie
Martin,
Congratulations on finding your solution.
Wishing you Normal Sinus Rhythm forever.
Mellanie
Florida Rick,
Congratulations on your upcoming mini maze or Cox Maze IV.
What I meant by a brand new approach is a new expanded lesion set that includes a lesion across the roof of the heart. A newly-approved tool for this roof lesion reduces gaps and completely blocks the erractic electrical impulses.
Dr. James Edgerton, here in Dallas, was the first heart surgeon to use it, and many other surgeons are now quickly adopting it as well. I’ve heard that this roof lesion significantly improves the success in difficult, long-standing cases. Let me know if you need more info about this.
Mellanie
Mellanie,
I am absolutely interested in this new approach since my surgery is in about 10 days and my anxiety is growing. I googled Dr Edgerton and there was some indication on the www that the tools he is using are the same that my surgeon is using. That is a comforting thought. I had LA RF Ablation during Aug 07 and was electrocardioverted at the end of the surgery. I stayed in NSR for about 30 hours. I have been electrocardioverted 4 time in the last year under the influence of different drugs and on two occasions I was in NSR for 24 to 30 hours then the the Afib took over. NSR feels very nice. I was a little spooked with the NSR since I have been in Afib almost 20 years.
Florida Rick
Mellanie,
The expanded lesion set of which you spoke is entirely an epicardial line, correct ?
Thanks for any help rendered.
Florida Rick
Florida Rick,
Yes, the roof lesion line is epicardial. I found a drawing that illustrates it for you:
http://www.atricure.com/Media_Library/Procedure_Image_Library/Minimally_Invasive_Procedure_Images/
View the next to last photo - there are two encircling lesions around pairs of pulmonary veins, and the roof lesion connects those two encircling lesions. The challenge has been that that tissue is pretty thick, so good lesions have been harder to make, but the newest tools seem to be having good results with that.
That’s great that your surgeon probably has those same tools - there are several in Florida.
Good luck. Please let us know how it goes. And if you’d like to let us know more details, we’ll be pulling for you that day.
Mellanie
Mellanie,
The new tool he has is the Cool Rail from Atricure. Following my failed RF Ablation, I was faced with a choice of another ablation, mini-maze, or Cox Maze IV. I did not want to re-try ablation as it had failed once. I visited a local surgeon that seemed competent, but had only performed the minimaze 7 times. He referred me to the surgeon in Tampa FL who trained him and has performed many hundreds of minimaze and Cox Maze IV procedures. The Tampa surgeon recommended the Cox Maze IV since I have been in Afib since approx 1989 and that is the gold standard. He subsequently called me about a week after I met with him and said the new tool would make the minimaze a much more attractive option. I am opting for the minimaze and pray that it works. I had to quit work about 6 weeks ago and don’t plan on returning to work unless I get this fixed. My work performance is very inconsistent because of the Afib. When I have good days, I can perform well, but when the bad days come - I can hardly function. I was having 2 or 3 bad days per week and my colleagues were afraid to give me stressful assignments or problems. When I quit I had 15 engineers working for me and significant budgetary responsibility.
Thanks for all of your information.
FloridaRick
Florida Rick,
I’m really sorry that afib has impacted your life and career so profoundly.
Yours’ is not an unusual story, but it makes me angry every time I hear that because so many doctors truly don’t understand what afib does to us. (I’m not saying that your doctors didn’t understand, but many don’t.) They don’t realize that not only does afb have a physical impact on us, but it also has a huge financial and emotional impact as well, not just on us but on our families, too. If they understood that, perhaps they would help us find the right solutions immediately rather than experimenting until they find a solution.
You are so fortunate to have visited a surgeon who referred you to the surgeon in Tampa. I know the Tampa surgeon and am sure you’ll be very pleased. (That heart hospital is fabulous!) I agree that the mini-maze with the Coolrail tool makes a lot of sense for you because of recent successes with it for treating chronic afib.
Please stay in touch so we can cheer you on that day. (I’ll put it on my calendar.) Before you go in, you may want to read up on what to expect before, during, and after mini-maze surgery at:
http://www.stopafib.org/mini-maze.cfm
Also keep in mind that you may have afib incidents for several months after surgery, until your heart heals. Just keep the faith that you’ll soon be afib-free!
Mellanie
I am so glad I found StopAfib.org, Mellanie! It gives me new hope! I had a stroke — actually two blood clots in the brain — in mid-April. Doctors believe they were caused by A-Fib, which I had experienced infrequently for the past 4 years. My first A-Fib was in 2004, immediately following major surgery (stomach). I’m not always aware I am having A-Fib “attacks”. Now, following the recent stroke, doctors have me on a whole conglomeration of medications, which frightens me a lot. Coumadin, Sotalol, Protonix (for internal bleeding). Thankfully, I seem to be recovering, but now I need advice. I hate taking Coumadin, which is not only frightening but very restrictive with diet and activities. Also, I was always a strong believer in natural therapies, and now doctors have ordered me to stop taking all supplements, including daily vitamins. Help!! I’m not sure where to begin in my research and quest for answers. I am 69 years old, and plan to hang around for many more years. Thank you for any help or advice you can offer!
Carol
Carol,
I’m so glad you found StopAfib.org. We’re here to help.
I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through having had a stroke related to atrial fibrillation.
Doctors are so busy that they generally don’t have time to research and understand supplements, so to avoid interactions, they will just tell you to stop all. Doing your own research, as you plan to do, is the right answer.
Here are some resources that can help:
(1) Let me encourage you to visit the Lone Atrial Fibrillation Forum (http://www.afibbers.org/toboards.htm) run by Hans Larsen. What a wealth of information you’ll find, with many folks there having had great success with natural and dietary approaches. They focus largely on Lone Afib, which is afib without any underlying heart disease; since you’ve had a stroke already, some of it may not be as applicable to you, but you’ll find much valuable info there.
(2) In addition, as long as you’re on Coumadin (which was frightening to me, too) you do need to know what supplements and foods interfere with it and by how much. A great resource to help with that is http://www.PTINR.com. There is a vitamin K registry there that will help immensely.
Once you’ve done your research and started sorting out what works for you, then it’s probably time to find a doctor that will support you in your choices.
Good luck. We’re here to help you if we can.
Mellanie
Dear All,
I am a healthy 36 year old white male. I had my first encounter with Afib during college at age 20. Since then, I’ve had about 12-15 cardio-versions, tried Norpace (Disopyramide) and am now on Flecinide. Based on my personal experience, STRESS HAS A DIRECT EFFECT ON AFIB. I can look back on my life and each time “I go in” there is usually a stressful event associated. Stress management is key, as is a good amount of regular sleep.
I hope this helps.
All the best as we all share to stay well,
David
No stress doesn’t cause Af but it does not help it at all.
Well done Martin for taking positive steps to overcome Drink, yes it will trigger AF ….Christine had AF for 17yrs with several cardioversions…and a Ablation 3 years ago…still come back several mths ago…just been shocked agAin alittle respite until they know what to do agAin. Christine aged 53..worked all my life with or without AF. cHRISTINE
I am a firm believer that stress and alcohol play a pivotal role in developing atrial fibrillation. I am a “lone” sufferer. When I had some particular stressful occurrences in my life (starting last year - 52 years of age) I had some major attacks. We had some diazepam in the house and I took one to calm my nerves and went under control immediately (cause -effect?). I was a pretty regular drinker of alcohol as well. I think the alcohol makes it worse because we sometimes drink to deal with stress and/or unhappiness. I still have the afib now but I can tell you the attacks happen daily, but are very limited. A cup of green tea helps 90% of the time. I have stopped drinking almost altogether (a careful glass of red wine perhaps once weekly). WIth high blood pressure under control, one aspirin a day, no alcohol, one AM cappucino and dropping weight, I am hopeful that I can do this without meds or procedures. I have a pretty good group of cardiologists as well so the only thing I can do is to keep on top of it. i am trying very hard to develop mechanisms to deal with stress with varying levels of success. I think that is the key though; the stress.
Perhaps someone knows what the incidence of AFib is in other industrialized countries that sociologically have a lower degree of stress (Italy, France)?
Great Blog!
David,
I’m so sorry you have afib, and that it started at such a young age. It’s good that you recognize the role of stress in bringing on your afib episodes.
As you indicate, sleep is very important, too. There is a strong correlation between sleep apnea, which disrupts sleep, and afib.
Good luck with your afib.
Mellanie
Christine,
You’re technically correct in that stress doesn’t CAUSE afib - we don’t know what causes it. But it does trigger it and bring it on. And it seems to be much worse when stress is part of the equation.
I’m sorry you’re in this afib club, too, and have had such a hard time.
There are solutions! With failed ablations and cardioversions, there is still the surgery option.
My heart goes out to you. Let me know if I can help as I’ve been there.
Mellanie
Joseph,
You’ve hit on something important. Medical research and conventional wisdom tell us that drinking alcohol brings on afib. That may be true, but as you say, perhaps it’s the underlying stress that encourages drinking to deal with the stress.
I don’t know individual numbers for European countries, but do know that Europe has about 4.5 million afibbers, so it’s about as common there as here. But to your point, it would interesting to know if some countries have lower rates because they have lower-stress cultures overall.
Good luck with the dietary changes (the help you get from green tea is encouraging) and with controlling your stress. I hope that keeps it well under control.
Thanks for your comments.
All the best,
Mellanie
I survived the 6/2/08 minimaze procedure and still have significant bruising and swelling. I had complications after the procedure that I am still dealing with.
I will need to wait many weeks or months to ascertain the efficacy of the procedure.
FloridaRick
FloridaRick,
I’m glad you made it through your mini-maze. I am sorry that you had complications.
It does take several months (at least three) to know if it worked. You may have afib episodes for several months as your heart heals. But you’ve been in afib for a mighty long time, so it’s reasonable to expect that they had to do a lot of work on your heart and that all of that must heal.
You were in my thoughts on 6/2, and I will continue to send good wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope soon your afib will be just a distant memory.
Warmest regards,
Mellanie
[…] many of us grab some coffee when we’re stressed? Could it be stress, not coffee, that’s the […]
Hi,
What a relief to be able to find information and read other’s stories about AF.
I’m a 36 yr old professional athlete in the NZ Rowing Team about to compete at my 2nd Olympics in Beijing in under 4 weeks.
Last week I had my first episode of AF after having trained in the morning, a big lunch and then a nap on the couch, I woke up with AF. When after 24 hours it hadnt gone away I was electrically cardioverted (IV flecainide didnt work).
Am I stressed at the moment? Um yuhhuh!!!!! I am trying to find methods of dealing with the stress but also trying to find as much info as I can on dealing with AF as I’m not sleeping very well as I’m sure its going to come on again. Not ideal in the lead up to an olympics but I’m determined this will not affect my performance. So far this hasn’t affected my training and I’m hopeful that because this comes on in my sleep it wont come on when I’m racing. (Flecainide creates and irregular wave pattern on my ECG so I cant use this and Beta blockers are banned so I cant use those either).
Does anybody have any advice on anything i can do to avoid another episode? Foods to avoid etc?? Doctors have been less than helpful, looking at me blankly when I say I woke up with rather than being brought on by exercise.
Regards,
Nicola
Hi
My name is Ellis and I am 17 years old. I think that I have been experiencing afib for a couple of years. I not sure. I have been under a lot of stress and pressure. On top of this, I am experiencing something that feels like heartburn but I am not so sure if it is. What should I do?
[…] you’re a Blackberry addict or a stress junkie, which can contribute to atrial fibrillation, you may be interested in this new article in which Mellanie True Hills, founder of StopAfib.org, […]
Nicola,
I’m so sorry it’s been several days since you posted. I had just come back from travels when our Internet went out for 2 1/2 days, so I’m finally back online.
Please feel free to contact me directly ASAP to help in any way I can. Just send me your e-mail address (go to http://www.stopafib.org/contact.cfm) and I’ll reply. I realize that you will be leaving any day for Beijing, or may already be there.
You’ve trained too hard for this to have afib get in your way. Dehydration can be a major factor in bringing on afib, so controlling that may help. Also, being dehydrated depletes your magnesium, so supplementing with that (I believe that magnesium glycinate is supposed to be the most effective form for afib) may help.
Please feel free to send me your e-mail so I can help more directly. I’m not a doctor, but may have come across ideas that could help.
And most of all, I’ll make sure that the afib community knows, and we’ll be pulling for you in Beijing.
Warmest regards,
Mellanie
Ellis,
I’m so sorry you’re having what appears to be afib at such a young age. The stress and pressure will bring it on, and for many people the heartburn and “vagal” symptoms are quite common with afib.
An electrophysiologist (a cardiologist specializing in heart rhythms) can diagose whether it’s afib or some other heart rhythm irregularity, and can treat you.
Good luck finding the right doctor. If you’ll let me know where you are, perhaps I will know of some doctors in your area. You can reply privately by sending me an e-mail from http://www.stopafib.org/contact.cfm . Thanks.
Mellanie
Nicola
I am 41 and I just found out I have permanent A Fib. The doctor gave me a mild sedative to help relax me. The stress was causing higher heart rates.
You may want to check to see if this is an option.
I wish you the best at the olympics!
Scott
I have hypertrophic cardimyopathy & starting w/afib about (3) years ago. Tried several medications but every (3-4) months I’m in the hospital have a cardio conversation. I took Norpace and went 8 months without a episode, went into afib in March, 2008 & my cardiologist put me on amiandorone, which after research I do not like taking it. I was wondering if the new drug, multaq would be something I could suggest to my cardiologist or what surgery would I be a candidate for.
Brenda,
You said: “I was wondering if the new drug, multaq would be something I could suggest to my cardiologist or what surgery would I be a candidate for.”
First caveat - I’m not a doctor, so I can’t make medical recommendations.
However, it’s certainly worth askig your doctor if Multaq would be a good replacement for amiodarone. While it probably won’t be on the market until some time next year, it’s worth asking about and watching. If you’re interested, there are several stories about Multaq and amiodarone on StopAfib.org’s News & Events page (http://www.stopafib.org/news.cfm).
As to whether you’re a candidate for surgery, that can best be answered by a surgeon. You may find a surgeon in your area in StopAfib.org’s Afib Services Locator (http://www.stopafib.org/find.cfm).
Good luck.
Mellanie
I am so glad to see this article. I had my first really attack of afib 4 mos ago. I had a chest xray, CT, and echocardio gram and all were negative. The echo showed I have a healthy and normal heart. However, I keep feeling my heart fibrilate while I am at work. I work at a level 1 trauma hospital and there is a tremedous amount of stress. I don’t smoke, have a couple of beers a week and limit myself to 8oz of caffeine a day. I am really beginning to believe that my fibrilation is stress related.
Jennifer,
Yes, stress really can bring on afib episodes, and since the episodes come and go, they are often not picked up on diagnostic tests.
Some research indicates that caffeine may not be the culprit in afib that it is perceived to be. Some folks with afib can drink organic coffee with no problem, but have afib episodes from regular conventional coffee. Thus, that’s one thing you might try, switching to organic for your daily coffee as a starting point.
There are also nutritional things that you can try. One of the best resources for dietary changes to deal with afib is the Lone Atrial Fibrillation Forum at http://www.afibbers.org/toboards.htm (link is also in the forum list on this blog).
Another option is examining how you think about the stress in your life. As I talk about in my book (A Woman’s Guide to Saving Her Own Life), if you can turn your bad stress into good stress based on how you think about it, it won’t have the same ill effects on you.
Good luck. Let me know if we can help further.
Mellanie
Hi there,
I’m a 31 year old male living in Manchester and I had my first known episode of AF 4 months ago; my partner and I had just gone to Scotland for a week’s break and I went into AF on the first evening after a meal and a few drinks. My partner is a doctor, and whilst she knew immediately that I was ‘irregularly iregular’ we decided to rest on it overnight; not much sleep was had by either of us.
When morning came I was much the same but was getting light headed so we went to a hospital in Glasgow. I’ll never forget the drive there; I could barely move or speak and I thought I was going to die. I was in hospital for 2 days and was electro-cardioverted after a 24hour IV of Amiodarone failed to put me back into sinus rythmn. I was released with no additional treatment nor a followup appointment, and having been in AF for very nearly 48 hours I was exhausted.
My working lifestyle had been fairly hectic for the 14 months prior to this point; as a self employed contractor I had been commuting and staying away in London and had been drinking regularly and sometimes quite heavily for about 9 months. Indeed, I was out on a leaving do 2 days before the episode and the cardiologists in Glasgow attributed this, along with my lifestyle, to the AF episode; textbook holiday heart syndrome.
My bloods showed no underlying problems with my thyroid/platelets/blood sugar/electroytes and an echo revealed my heart in perfect working order, although one wall was maybe slightly thick. They believed that this was purely down to my size, (I’m 6″5 and at the time was probably in excess of 23 stone) which made sense to me and is thankfully reversible.
With my contract ending 2 weeks afterward, I decided to turn down another job in London as I wanted a good break to recuperate. Since that time I stopped smoking, drinking and started a good balanced diet with my partner (lost about 1 1/2 stone so far). Over the first few months I felt pretty bad with headrushes, palps, sore chest muscles, GERD, but we put all that down to the dramatic changes I was making and anxiety. These symptoms came to a climax with what we believe were panic attacks. At this point I realised a lot of it was in my mind and so began to deal with things better. I felt much better for about a month until I had my second AF episode.
This came on 2 weeks ago, mid-afternoon, whilst I was cramming for an exam. I had been experiencing ectopics for about 24 hours before this point, and prior to that some central chest pain (either side of my sternum) which came about after a lot of heavy lifting (5 days before the episode). This was definitely a muscular pain, but I had experienced very similar symptoms the first time round, almost identical infact (few days chest pain, few days ectopics, AF).
This time I successfully reverted to sinus rythmn with 1 1/2 hours IV flecainade and was advised to take 100mg twice daily for 1 week, take 75mg aspirin daily and to carry a ‘pill in the pocket’ thereafter. I have a follow up in 6 weeks. As before, my bloods and chest x-ray showed that I was otherwise fine.
Sorry for the long winded story but I’ve been reading just about anything and everything vaguely related to AF, probably too much. I have been off work for about 3 1/2 months now (not entirely through choice) and am concerned I’m turning into a bit of hypocondriac, but I do have some questions I hoped people may be able to comment on..
If AF is brought on by alcohol/stress can it stop as suddenly as it starts, assuming you’ve adjusted your lifestyle accordingly, or is it then a permenant part of life?
Has anyone experienced similar symptoms ie.. slight chest pain followed by frequent ectopics (every 10-20mins approx) then AF. Also, both times I had a brief AF episode, then kicked out of it to sinus rythmn, then finally went into it again after 15 mins or so.
When I go into AF it’s very noticeable, pounding heart etc.., and both times I become light headed as my bpm shoots upto 170/180.. The last time however my resting heart rate settled to about 90/100 (still in AF) when in hospital. Is the initial surge because of panic/adrenaline?
How do people find the pill in the pocket approach? I was advised to take 100mg if an episode occurs, but I wonder if this is enough. Also, from what I have read, most people try and ride out an AF episode, and I’m not sure if I should be trying to do that or going straight to hospital.
Has anyone had any success with holistic treatment? I am considering having my amalgams replaced, as I have also been suffering from chronic Cholinergic Urticaria for over 10 years, and am wondering if there is some tenuous connection between it all.
Along similar lines, I have read that ectopics and tachycardia can be caused by an infected root canal or abscess, which I have had for about 6 months. (dentist is now wary of extraction because of AF and aspirin combo)
Sorry if it reads like I’m clutching at straws but I guess I’m just getting a lot of things of my chest.
I hope you all find a way to better deal with or cure your own conditions; it is inspiring for me to read that so many of you deal with it so well already, yet I’m obviously a little concerned about how this could shape my life going forward.
Best wishes and thanks for reading (if you made it this far…)
Gordon
Gordon,
I’m so sorry that you have afib and have been through so much already. You are truly fortunate that your partner is a doctor and can probably help you sort much of this out.
Hopefully some folks can chime in to answer your questions. Here are a few of my thoughts:
Stress is a definite afib trigger for many folks, and alcohol is for many as well. Many folks have found that avoiding their triggers keeps afib away.
Regarding pill-in-the-pocket, my doctor had me take a beta blocker every day, and keep an extra one handy in case I needed it to reverse an afib episode. That worked for me many times.
Many folks that have lone afib (no underlying heart disease) have found diet and supplements to be quite effective at keeping their afib at bay. If you haven’t already, you might check out the Lone Afib Forum for discussions on those topics. The link is here, in the Afib Forums list. Some folks over there also have experience with amalgam removal.
Dental and heart issues are closely related due to the inflammation connection with heart disease and afib. Can your dental issue be treated with antibiotics?
I wish you success in finding the right answers for you.
Mellanie
Have read about the results of a German study linking AF to a virus…….my own experience is that the episodes last exactly three days and are accompanied, as the end of the episode draws near by head sweating. When the episode concludes I feel as if I have been detoxified indeed….sulfites, animal fats, irradiation in foods (??). There are sulfites in non-organic coffee! There are sulfites in everything, even in flour to keep it from clumping! A nightmare….have been working with cratageous oxyacantha, lactuca virosa, magesium…..any success on treating/finding a link with intercellular magnesium deficiency…when we are under stress our bodies don’t absorb magesium properly. Wonderful and informative blog.
I believe you are on the right track Mellanie. My AF started when I was struggling to start my business. 15-18 hour days and the money draining away. I was 45 when I had my first episode. I was an athlete through my college years and continue to swim everyday. I continue to have episodes and they are always related to illness or stress. My wife lost both of her parents this year and it has been a horrible year for AF.
I have seen several doctors and I always test out strong on treadmill and blood tests. My at rest-heart rate is 45 and my blood pressure is around 115/65. I go periods of months without an episode but when I do it lasts for around 3-5 days and the only thing that helps is coughing and sitting in the shower with the water (stream) hitting me directly in the back. After 5 min the AF subsides. Like others when the AF is on and off I cannot sleep on my left side or drink cold water.
I have always believe it was stress related but recently I started thinking that there may be a relation to back pain. I’m an avid golfer and when I have strain in my upper back region I notice that I am prone to an episode.
I would love to find out what is really causing this because all the doctors want to do is to put me on meds for the rest of my life and this is just not an option I want to consider given the side effects.
I have been reading about the Cox-Maze procedure but don’t like the idea of surgery much better. I’m in Orange County California and would love a reference to a decent Cardiologist if anyone knows one.
Thanks for the blog. I don’t mean it negatively but it’s good to know I’m not alone.