Is it possible that panic attack and anxiety triggered frequent PAC/PVC, and the PAC/PVC eventually caused afib?

[li17]

Does it sound resealable?

[Tako2009]

Sounds reasonable to me! In my case I did have a stress-related heart problem first. However I then went from panic attacks (which were not the same as my experience of AF but equally scary) to ‘benign’ ectopic heart beats and now to P-AF. For a long time my GP assumed I was getting more panic attacks and didn’t refer me to cardiologist even though I insisted the episodes were different - eventually had to push for a referral.

[CDreamer]

Anxiety will always exacerbate symptoms as it destabilises the balance between the Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System - Fight, Flight, Freeze response - but i don’t think it causes it.

There are many underlying reasons that may cause it but no-one really knows as far as I can know. Genetic disposition? Many people think so as it has a tendency to run in families.

My own pet theory is damage to the ANS through physical or psychological trauma may be a cause for some but we still don’t really know.

- watch Sanjay Gupta’s series of videos - AF & Dysautonomia, POTS etc.

[BobD Volunteer]

Ectopics are not AF and do not generally become such.

It is also worth considering that many people who have been told they are having panic attacks actually have AF. This is particularly so with ladies of a certain age who are often dismissed by GPs .

Complex problem!

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Right on target, Bob. I am a 'lady of a certain age (74 next month)' who has in the past been dismissed by male doctors 'of any age' as a post-menopausal woman who was just nervous. Infuriating! But, though most docs treat women of all ages well, the others are still out there-alive and kicking!. BTW, ladies, we are often more knowledgable than these docs. irina1975

[Andyt36]

I can only speak of mine and I believe stress, panic, mood, psychi, are all contrbuting factors.

I was in a very stressful period in my life and mean v v stressed out, etc..the body had already started indicating factors, then after a long day, I still down tried to do a yoga stretch as I twisted..... went into AF....... didn't realise what it was went to bed....got up in the morning took myself to AAnd E as my pulse was still out of rythm and the rest is history as they say. So in short as we may not have an exact why I still believe life and those factors are contributors.

[li17 in reply to Andyt36]

Yes it’s sad that once it’s triggered, we are stuck for life.

[doodle68 in reply to li17]

Hi Li we may be 'stuck for life' but that doesn't mean a lot of us can't still have a good quality of life.

I think I am healthier now than before I was diagnosed with AF thanks to the shock of finding I had AF which led a change of lifestyle including losing a bit of weight.