Storyjo

[Storyjo1]

I can remember being anxious as young as 3 yrs old. It has been with me all my life and I wonder if it caused my AF. Now, at age 75, when I should be chillin’ I’m still fighting that old enemy! Husband has Parkinson’s and we are contemplating a move closer to our daughter, but he does not want to leave our little town here in Austin County, Texas. I like your AF group better than the ones I’ve found here in the US, so hope you don’t mind if I drop in now and then! Anybody else suffer from anxiety - any good coping procedures, besides meds? BTW, I’m not too fond of cardios who have no patience with AF patients!!! I’d like to find one who actually suffers with the malady he/she is trying to treat. Bet they’d be more supportive!

[djbgatekeeper]

Hi there from the UK 😁 Yes I suffer from anxiety mainly due to my AF. Its a battle to control especially when I'm alone, I generally sit in a quiet room with a chamomile tea and close my eyes... slow breathing and think of nice things that you like to do... I am also thinking of taking up yoga.

I hope you have a good day and best wishes, Dave.

[etheral]

No magic bullet for anxiety here, but as far as cardiologists go, make sure you have a consultation with an electophysiologost at a major medical center, who would be up to date and offer you all the latest treatments. Best of luck.

[CDreamer]

Hi and welcome - we have quite a few members from US and from Australia and Canada, Greece, Middle East, Japan and a few other countries but we are predominantly U.K. What you will find is if there is anyone in your area they may chip in.

Chronic anxiety is very difficult to live with and you say you have had it all your life so for you - this will be your body norm. I used to help people with chronic anxiety and the peculiar thing was that many people found it too uncomfortable to live without he physical symptoms - so then they started worrying because they weren’t experiencing symptoms! And guess what? Yes - the symptoms returned.

There are 2 parts to anxiety 1 - the physical symptoms and 2 - the worry thoughts. Both are reactions to how you react to the outside and internal world - some appropriate and others not - bit like good and bad habits - and like any established habit - trying to change them is a matter of will power and work with intent and needs a lot of help and support. I would recommend a course of MCBT - Mindfulness based CBT - developed in US and I think widely available. Usually a face to face or group course but there are on-line courses. I found the link below explains what to expect quite well.

The other modality which I like because it is evidence based and have quite a lot books, articles etc is Human Givens approach - not sure if that is available in US but even their webpage has many helpful suggestions and explanations.

Personally I find that daily Mindfulness practice enormously helpful, as do many people on this forum. I do and have done for many years Yoga, Pilates and sports which I have found also lower my anxiety but just doing anything you enjoy will promote endorphins and help decrease the stress hormone levels in your body - which are the antagonists for Heart. Doing something is much better than sitting and worrying.

As to whether it caused your AF - it may exacerbate the symptoms but anxiety on its’ own is unlikely to cause AF without another underlying condition but then symptoms of AF are so similar to anxiety - ???? When were you diagnosed?

And it is very easy for some doctors to dismiss symptoms of AF as anxiety without doing thorough testing. Unfortunately it also has to be said that treatments for AF can be limited for some people and therefor it can be a matter of life management.

Sorry for the long post - I am just so interested in the link between anxiety and AF.

Also suggest you look at Dr Gupta (the U.K. cardiologist who also has AF himself) videos - link to the one on - Can stress cause Anxiety

youtu.be/P-R6aTQdBJk(Not working as expected?)

hgi.org.uk/resources/delve-...

excelatlife.com/articles/cb...

[Tyson4ever in reply to CDreamer]

I didn't realise Sanjay Gupta also has AF ?

[Hidden in reply to Tyson4ever]

Me either, very interesting.

[Buffafly]

Hi, I also suffer from anxiety and just wanted to sympathize 😊 I mostly stress about specific things and I've found what helps me most is to be totally prepared as far as I can be for the situation. When I have a random surge of anxiety I have to remind myself that it is a physical reaction caused by my AF/meds/ anxiety over an ongoing situation I can't change and that seems to damp it down. My mother always used to tell me to 'take deep breaths' when I felt nervous, not the best advice because it can lead to hyperventilation 😵, what you need is controlled breathing! (If you do a site Search for 'breathing' you may find instructions) I hope some of our suggestions help.

[Hidden]

I know exactly how you feel Storyjo1 and as I am a similar age plus a bit to you I have also suffered anxiety since a child Maybe this was due partly from separation as a refugee at the age of 2 for the duration of world war 2! I am sure this contributed to the PAF I was eventually diagnosed with in later life. I seem to have come to terms with it now especially as I have learnt to manage episodes at home but hate having to take the medication Regards to you😌

[Hidden]

I am convinced that in some cases mental health issues could be a cause of AF especially when there is little or no structural heart issues ! There is a well proven link with heart disease and mental health ! I don't think it's been adequately reasearched ! It can certainly play a role in many cases but not all !

Andy

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

There is a known link between chronic anxiety/stress and AF - but then there is that link with any disease as long term anxiety/ stress causes inflammation in the body.

That is why it is so important to cultivate really good coping strategies. There are many types of mental illness and most will have a degree of anxiety.

The 4 Pillars of health and wellbeing - nutrition - exercise - sleep - relaxation collectively called lifestyle. Improve your lifestyle - improve your health.

“GrassRoots Functional Medicine is to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence to live a life that involves physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.”

[Vonnieruth]

I to have anxiety My AF started out of the blue one afternoon.I even get anxious about being in house alone

[doodle68]

I am convinced chronic anxiety /stress (rather than occasional/ transient) is a factor in developing AF for some people also that there is a link between anxiety=release of hormones=inflamation=illness.

I guess I have had more than my share of stress starting aged 16 months old when my mother died and it just went on and on from there. I coped with each new awful event that was thrown my way (including being widowed with a small baby ) with a calm exterior disguising a raging turmoil within.

Any equipment that is misused or overworked in a way for which it is not designed is prone to develop faults and that may apply to our bodies. The misuse may take various forms eg an excess of alcohol /over exercise, stess being just one of them.

If stress and anxiety is a factor in the development of AF it is logical that to prevent any progression of AF we have to learn to deal with that issue.