Hi everyone, is it possible for stress to bring on an Afib attack. Haven't had an attack for a year, but have been under a lot of stress since August and have had three attacks since then, all lasting about seven hours.
Also is it normal to be completely exhausted the next day?
Thank you, Jenny x
I think it was stress that got me here in the first place! Been an anxious person all my life (probably learned behaviour), and have experienced stressful incidents bringing on an episode many times, Conflict at home and all sorts. Very exhausting.
I am in permanent now and don't have episodes. Find that easier to live with to be honest.
Undoubtedly.
Non of us find it easy.
The only remedy I know is to try and destress using meditation techniques coupled with slow deep breathing.
Pete
Yes and yes. All quite normal.
Yes, brings mine on every time. De stress your life, cut toxic people out even if it's a relative change your job, move live mortgage free. Just do you and learn to say NO. Guess what you will feel so free because they weren't there for you anyway. Lifestyle changes if you need to make them, weight loss, give up sugar, smoking. Everything moderation. Just live the life you dreamed,this is not a dress rehearsal. Anyone who says bad idea, whoever they are, just say, NO I am doing me. Stress never leaves the body until you say enough is enough. If they don't like it tough. They can't prolong your life only you. You are not selfish, live your best life now. Don't tell everyone your plan. People are selfish. Listen to your gut and go with it. You have nothing to loose. It's incredibly liberating but if you have a good Cardiologist he will totally agree. Good luck but you won't need it.
Yes, you can be exhausted for days. Stop being the breadwinner!
What a wonderful mindset - this absolutely sums up where I am at the moment. I need the courage to do this, but know it is the way forward 💗
I've had a few episodes caused by extreme stress, but had my ablation 2 years ago and no AF for 9 months now, even though I've had some very stressful times during that 9 months.
Yes, I think it's possibly why I developed AFIB, but I will never be sure as I cant prove it.
If I am correct then I am also sure that is not one event that causes this but its cumulative. And you probably don't need to be doing something as stressful as your previous experiences of bad stress, just that you have reached the limit of your ability to cope.
Not medically trained but I picture it as If you have an reservoir that absorbs stress: very stressful events fill it quicker and fill it more. But when you are up near the rim of the stress container anything you get stresswise will make it overflow. Also it is a lot more difficult to empty the stress reservoir than it is too fill!
No its not normal you always tired. That could be owing to too much stress, not enough proper sleep or something medically wrong with you. Suggest you see a doctor/ blood tests for the latter, and read " the science of sleep " by Matthew Walker for the sleep understanding.
Most important is to Stop worrying/ stressing about things, as if it his stress related then the monster feeds itself.
Sorry much easier said than done. But obviously one of the things you can do is remove any causes of stress you can identify that are removable. Make a worry list, prioritise as large to small and removable / non removable, and remove what you can ( a puttick grid is best if you know what that is) . Removing tiredness is a main one, but hard to sleep if you are constantly worried. Another one can be personal commitments to wife/ family/ friends. Simple example your misses wants you to decorate the house but you have not got around to it for months, and you now feel pressured to do it. Have a sensible discussion on delaying it to get it off the worry list. A new kitchen is not as important as your health!
Best wishes.
Sorry you're so stressed. Have you tried mindfulness and meditation?
Hi Jenny, you have probably heard it before but stress can be reduced by changing your circumstances or yourself or both. When I look back over a few years since my early AF days I am just amazed how much you can change your lifestyle, circumstances and attitudes....and be happier! Good luck, start today as these changes take longer but have faith and persevere!
Yes stress can bring on attack. I suffer from stress also. Try breathing exercises. Breathe in slowly to the count of 5 and breathe out the same. Through the nose. Also I massage my feet and that can help. Hang in there.
Exercise will take your mind off stress and refresh your spirit. Get out in the wind and the rain and reconnect with nature. Get a flask, fill it up with coffee or a drink and make it your time. Start off with a daily mile or so and build it up. Get some waterproof gear and work your way up to an hour or so, and see how you feel .
My EP says episodes of AF go up during a crisis. He had an unprecedented number of people contact him to say they had gone into AF during and just after Brexit.
My husband has AF and 3 years ago was fitted with a PM. The device can detect when he goes into AF. When the clinic tells us the dates and time he was in AF EVERY time we can trace it back to a stressful time in our lives.
So I am a believer that stress does trigger an AF event.
There are some APP that can help calm you down - one is called Headspace and the other Breathe. You might give them a try.
Interestingly enough 9 out of 10 times the things we stress over resolve themselves and 6 months later we can’t even recall the problem.
I suffer with atrial Contractions , PAC’s And they are always certainly more prevalent when anxious.
Hi Attic,
Stress is a major cause of AF attacks, it increases adrenaline which raises heart rate and can trigger AF if you are an occasional AF sufferer.
AF affects us all differently, but for me an attack leaves me devoid of energy, other people can carry on as normal not really noticing it.
Good luck and try to steer clear of stress.
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