Ptsd and AF, is there a connection?

[chenstone18]

Does anyone have any experience with Ptsd effecting heart rhythm? I ask as I understand that both conditions are effected by adrenaline and my AF started at the same time frame as a particularly bad experience at work that resulted in Ptsd. Your thoughts and experiences would be appreciated

[Kellyjelly]

I don’t have any experience of this but just wanted to say hello and hope you find someone with similar experience that can offer some helpful advice. 😊

[CDreamer]

Stress will be a trigger for AF - PSTD is your body on constant high alert - the whole of your body.

Adrenaline is only one hormone which floods your body when your sympathetic nervous system kicks in (fight, flight or freeze response). PTSD means you are unable to transition to parasympathetic mode otherwise known as rest and digest. When you can’t do that heart, breathing, digestion, sleep and rest will all be negatively affected.

If you can find effective treatment for the PTSD then that may help with arrythmias but it wouldn’t be guaranteed. My AF started after a very stressful period at work, I dealt with the stress but the AF remained - stress is a trigger, not a cause as some people seem to be much more prone than others and AF often runs in families.

I would suggest you look at the Human Givens approach - it seems to have the highest success rates but I would doubt you will be able to access under NHS however, HG approach is normally short term but as ever, it may depend upon the skill and experience of the individual practitioner. There is a list of qualified and registered practitioner on website from the link below.

Hope this helps - hgi.org.uk/useful-informati...

[chenstone18 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you for your insite and advise. I have indeed found that HG has helped considerably especially after the last occasion. In reality I have been able to learn how to deal with ptsd and live with it day by day but the physiological changes it has done to my adrenaline response is impossible to control. That is why I have connected the two. I expect I have too much adrenaline in my body due to my heighten state of awareness as it seems to be constantly waiting to respond to perceived threats. I quess that is what stress is anyway. The good news is 7 years down the line I am in a better place, I just need to sort the physiological issues out. Thanks again.

[CDreamer in reply to chenstone18]

I have met and worked with many people with chronic stress and a few with PTSD and I have a strong suspicion that PTSD is long term damage to the Autonomic System - Which in turn causes many types of long term conditions - especially Arrythmias and Autoimmune conditions.

The adrenaline rush that I feel prior to an AF episode I perceive as a precursor to AF now as I know it is my body’s response alerting me that something is wrong - it is NOT the adrenaline that causes it. Adrenaline is the response of ANS being on high alert. I have been able to prevent AF episode by noting the feeling and then doing some 7/11 breathing and using some tapping on the side of my hand at the karate point. It doesn’t always work but always helps calm my reaction to the AF and how you cope and having calming strategies is the important bit.

Very best wishes CD.