Comments on: Does Stress Cause Atrial Fibrillation?

By: beachlady7

beachlady7 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:57:07 +0000

I have to say if stress doesn’t cause it in the first place, it certainly sends my heart rate off the charts, even with taking beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, Coumadin, etc. I literally “cannot stand” some people and situations. There are times when I want to run away. No one “gets it” that my heart is in “race” mode and I don’t need anyone pushing my buttons. As you know, we in some cases “can’t cure it” but we sure as heck could use a break from stress. I vote “yes” on stress being a major factor.

By: Mellanie

Mellanie — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:49:22 +0000

Gail,

Your health is your priority. If they don’t like it, perhaps they can create less drama.

Mellanie

By: kay

kay — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:41:12 +0000

How do you get a dr to understand you might have a problem. I already have medicine induced SVT but I have bipolar also an during extreme times of overwhelming stress I feel it. But they say its nothing but anxiety or my panic attacks starting. Help anyone

By: Gail

Gail — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:47:15 +0000

I have had Afib for just over a year, 2 very scary attacks landed me in the hosp, the 2nd time they did the proceedure to check my arteries (name aludes me now) and they said I was clear, no blockage. I used to be in an EXTREMELY verbally abusive marriage, and he was a BIG rage-aholic. When I left him in 2003 I thought everything was fine… until early 2010. When I started to feel the palps, I too thought it was panic attacks. Whenever there is “drama” around me (unneccesary BS), my asthma used to kick in and now the past couple weeks, i can’t seem to take stress at all! I think it’s also the anticipation when certain situations arise (DRAMA). I’ve been telling people to change subject but I think the anxiety has already started the Afib up. I’m on meds, have been recently doubled on my Flecanide. I DEFINATELY think you are all correct that stress brings it on. I don’t want to become short with folks, but I am developing a 1 minute rule with them! If they start getting on my nerves, I shut down immediately and walk away. Don’t care if they get mad at me, they don’t feel my condition!! Well, i hope to only feel this way until I can figure out why I am getting set off so easily… God’s grace to all of you, and know you’re not alone….

By: Mellanie

Mellanie — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:58:29 +0000

Brian,

I’m sorry you have such a complicated situation. Everyone is different, and while I’ve not had any problem with Zithromax exacerbating afib, I would guess that it’s not a totally uncommon situation. On our patient and caregiver resources page (http://www.stopafib.org/resources.cfm) there are several resources on drugs, and you’ll find drug interaction checkers there.

Cardizem is a rate control medication–it will control the heart rate, but is not designed to stop the afib. You may want to ask your doctor if you should try a rhythm control medication to get back in rhythm.

Good luck.

Mellanie

By: Brian Wallenstein

Brian Wallenstein — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 22:10:17 +0000

DISHEARTENED??? Arial Fib. I was born with a non normal heart beat. Once identified, my elecrical system fires almost opposite of others, good my local doctors know this,but I developed artial fib in my early 40s from a very intense case of Graves disease (hyperthyroidism) I had gone through at least 6 weeks of 200+ heart rate and hit what is called a thyroid storm which put me in ICU for 10 days with atrial fib at a heart rate of 225+. Not having the luxury of time to research and come up with a less invasive method of cure, I opted reluctantly to I131 radioactive iodine to shrink my thiroid thus putting me in a hypothyroid state the rest of my life to be supplemeneted with thyroxine.
The adjust ment period took years to get the exact dosage right, as i have always run hot, like a hybrid race car, but have managed for 7 years now. Occasiona bouts of Afib come and go with no bother until the last couple of months, brought on by what i believe is a series of factors, stres, unemployment, a relationship that did not develop, and one thing we all must be aware of, drug interactions. I have found my use of Zithromax over the years Ive been in Afib exascerbates the condition. I shy away from most drugs as it is t keep the variables clear but I needed them. My doctor demonizes tobacco, although I only smoke 2-5 at the m ost a day, and have been weaning off them but never a big smoker, I have been an athelete, and ride 60 miles a week on my bicycle and my yearly exam came back stunning, Perfect values for hdl, ldl,blood pressure, all of it. My pulmonary system is great, I can blow the breath of a 6 foot man, in thier 40s and Im 56 5’9″ 138 and very active. I cant stress our suc eptibility to drug interactions and know that love and stress can be disheartening, but there is still no lexicon assembled full enough with drug interactions. I argue with my doctor, its my body, however, Im taking cardizem for now unitl we can either get my body to forget the discord and take up being in sync with itself, or use another drug to keep it in rhythm. Cardezem slows my heart rrate but sthe arhythmya is still present, but like the last time, it all of a sudden weeks away from ZIthromax, resets itself. Just a thought…

By: Garry Slatter

Garry Slatter — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:56:13 +0000

Interesting reading everyone’s comment about there episodes of AF. In my own case I first had an episode 2yrs ago and was rushed to hospital thinking I was having a heart attack (not having had an attack of AF before). They got my heartnrate down and after 3days it corrected itself and they told me to watch how much alcholol I drink, which I did. Last year I had two further attacks both lasting 3days before correcting themelves. My cardiologist sent me to see a specialist in ablation at Leicester Glenfield hospital who put me on one 2.5mg isoprolol per day. I asked about side effects to which he said none and you can take them all your life. It is now 13mths since my last attack, I train hard 3times a week, lost 2stone and recently cycled from London to Paris (300 miles) at age 53yrs. Good luck everyone.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:56:56 +0000

Hello fellow Afibbers: I’ve dealt with this for about 6 yrs. now. I did have ablation. that worked for 2 years, then Afib returned but in a lesser severity. Interestingly it is at the end of October when the problem worsens. I’m controlled on propofanone and Pradaxa. This October-end of month, I started to have break thru episodes of increasing severity. I began to wonder if the change in weather has an effect on the A-Fib. I’m in Indiana where the temps are dropping, wind increasing and winter is upon us. Also there is the issue of stress as the holidays approach. I’m back to wearing an event monitor to evaluate the problem. Any insights are helpfu. Theresa

By: Mellanie

Mellanie — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:13:42 +0000

David,

Your having had a mini stroke is frightening. I am so sorry. Can you see a general family doctor who could decide whether you need something for stroke risk (besides aspirin)? I can sure understand that the stress would be making this worse.

I understand not liking the beta blockers. I hated them, too. But did they help the afib? I can’t imagine that they had a role in the mini stroke.

If I had had a mini stroke, I think I’d want to be on blood thinner to avoid another. I don’t want to stress you, but please take a moment to read about the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring tool used in the UK for determining whether you need a blood thinner.

New Stroke Risk Factors for Those with Atrial Fibrillation (AF): Female Gender, Heart Disease, and Age

Mellanie

By: Mellanie

Mellanie — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:01:20 +0000

MJA,

Rather than exercise, could it have been caused by dehydration from exercise? That may be worth paying special attention to. (And sports drinks are probably not a good choice because of all the stuff in them.)

Mellanie