Bpm.

[Gwersey]

My CBT guy asked me this question today. When I am in Afib with a heart rate of 155, which mine was, is the rate increased by my panic and feverish anxiety? I told him I think not, because a fibrillating heart is not racing the same way as a "fight or flight" response we get while panicking.

I'd be interested in feedback to this post.

[BobD Volunteer]

Interesting question . Anxiety does usually increase heart rate and I would say that it can exacerbate things even if you are already at a higher than normal rate.

[meadfoot]

I would think anxiety can exacerbate heart rate when in af only as far as any anxiety can when we are stressed. After a recent generaL anaesthetic my heart rate was tachycardic at 200 beats per minute as I came around due to the body shock of surgery. We are all finely tuned individuals so lots of things can affect our heart rate I guess.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to meadfoot]

As Foggy would say in Last of the Summer WIne."I'm like a coiled spring. "lol

[CDreamer]

Everyone’s response will be different but BECAUSE your heart is in AF - then your Autonomic Nervous System will be in alarm mode so you will have physical symptoms of anxiety, including increased heart rate. If you add on worry thoughts then you will exacerbate the response. Soooo....... it’s really not relevant question to ask.

For me - AF can and does increase HR and so does anxiety - but both together and you will get very high numbers. I am really good at managing my anxiety and I can still get HR of up to 180. It never consciously bothers me and I can sleep through it but usually meditate through it and use slow breathing techniques. If I get stressed, upset, angry or emotional HR immendiately goes sky high again so it is really important to stay calm - hence working at worry thoughts which CBT does, but it’s only part of the answer.

I would suggest both you and your therapist read up on the ANS - of which fight, flight and freeze response is only one small part.

I have worked with quite a few people now with how to reduce the HR when in AF very successfully - without CBT protocols but including tapping, meditation, slow breathing and leaded visualisations.

[hock217]

Isn't that why you judiciously followed up with your CBT? The fact that you observed a difference is good. Was he able to suggest any other steps i.e. monitor with 6 to 10 leads for a few weeks?