Anxiety and AFib whilst singing in a concert.

[Clyde12]

Diagnosed with Intermittent AFib this July. Since I’ve been prescribed warfarin I’m much less anxious and have had very few episodes. Last night I was singing in a concert and even though I was thoroughly enjoying it and felt confident, my heart thought otherwise.....I could feel it pounding and being very irregular! I tried deep breathing and trying to calm it but nothing worked! Anyone got advice? I love the challenge of choral singing and would like to carry on learning but I did find it rather unnerving to have this latest episode. Heart rate calmed about half an hour after the concert. As a matter of interest one of the pieces we sang included the words... beat beat beat!

I’m taking lisinopril as well as warfarin plus drugs to try to prevent the return of breast cancer. My GP hasn’t prescribed any rate or rhythm drugs as the episodes were few and didn’t last long.

Thank you to all in this reassuring site.

Mary.

[djbgatekeeper]

Hi Mary, it sounds like the anxiety of singing is triggering the fight or flight instincts which will release adrenalin which in turn can cause a fast / irregular heart rythym if you are inclined like I am myself.

You need to find a way of controlling the fight or flight, some people use meditation or there are a few good books available, see link below. Its a mind over matter challenge! Best of luck.

The Anxiety and Worry Workbook:... amazon.co.uk/dp/160623918X?...

[Clyde12 in reply to djbgatekeeper]

Thank you for you reply. I will get the book you mention. I had cognitive therapy 20 yrs ago which was a huge help and I thought my anxiety was under control. Perhaps a top up from reading this book will do the trick!

[fibber-me]

I think it was more the reverberations from the loudness around you.

[Clyde12 in reply to fibber-me]

Our singing was pretty loud at times.....I felt like the folk beside me could hear my heart beating erratically!

[Hidden]

Any sort of strong emotion-including positive emotion which you might have experienced whilst singing - might trigger AF, I believe.

[Clyde12 in reply to Hidden]

That would make sense....the first half of the programme was very hard to sing (and probably to listen to)......the second half was wonderful with everyone enjoying the music and the fact that concert was coming to an end! ......and that is when my heart ‘misbehaved’.....as you say , it was probably a positive emotion. Thank you.

[sportscoach]

I no great expert on singing however, some of my friends are so I understand breathing is an important part of the activity also, being a swimming coach I see the impact on the body of getting breath control wrong it is not unusual for swimmers to suffer panic attacks due to incorrect breathing patterns and changes to their blood gases (Acidosis etc)

An interesting book can be found on Amazon...… amazon.co.uk/Oxygen-Advanta...

Along with breathing sound also plays a big part in the mood of the vagal nerve there is a huge amount of information on the internet on the vagal nerve and what can effect its behaviour.....only my theory hope it helps.