Stress and afib episodes

[Karendeena]

Hi everyone. How many of you actually find stress a trigger for afib episodes? I have paroxysmal afib and normally my episodes have been around every 4 months but with a very erratic and fast heart rate. They then started at 3 months now this one has come after almost 2 months (last beginning of June).

I went about my day as normal as the heart rate didn't feel the same (as fast) as previous episodes although I am aware of it.

Started at 3 am this morning after 2 days of extreme stress and not pleased to say shouting and screaming as my 95 year old mother verbally abused me.

I expect I am in it for the long haul, usually 30 hours ish but heart rate not too bad between 80 and 100. BP a bit scary at 89 over 70. Feel a bit sickly and have had a few hot flushes other than that I feel ok surprisingly having walked around a show for 5 hours.

On sotalol taking 40mg 3 times daily. EP said to take extra dose but I don't know if my BP will tolerate it. Any advice?

[BobD Volunteer]

For me it was initially ending stress that often triggered an event. So the morning after a race weekend once the dust had settled would be a start. Seldom came on during an event in the early days though eventually AF came when it felt like it. AF begets AF after all.

[Karendeena in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob, do you think the heart rate is too high between 80 and 100 (around 85). Sick of it, always waiting for the next episode! On the waiting list for an ablation.Sometimes my heart seems to miss a beat or two

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Karendeena]

Normal HR is between 60 and 100 so no. Mine averages 80-85 (in NSR) and has done ever since my atrial tachycardia ablation in 2019.

[KiwiBlake]

Yes stress is a trigger for me. A couple of years ago the wife and I took it upon ourselves to look after my wife's elderly mother while she was dealing with terminal cancer. It was a very emotional and stressful 8 months for our household including our 2 teenage daughters. My mother in law stayed with us nearly until the end just spending the last couple of weeks of life in Hospice. While it was the right thing to do, I was going into AF every 2-3 weeks. Following her passing, family life settled back to normal, and I went 6 months without AF. I had an ablation last September, but still need to be aware of stress, and am currently in stable NSR.

Regards Blake

[Hidden]

Stress of workplace bullying triggered my first big bout. New boss and ambitious young bully “I’m going to put you under pressure and that could be bad for your health”. Next day PAF struck ( I didn’t know what it was ) I collapsed, taken from work by ambulance and blocked the little toad on my phone on the way. We never spoke again. A year paid sick leave, a big pay out and early retirement - thanks to lawyers and supportive witnesses.

Subsequent PAFattacks while looking after dying relatives and friends.

Now slimmer and fitter and enjoying life more with much less stress and consequently no big PAF episodes at present.

I’ve been warned it will get worse but I like a challenge and so far it hasn’t and I’m relying on life style change, Edoxaban and Atorvastatin to hold the line. Let’s see !

[Ppiman]

I can't add to what others have said except to say, "Life, eh!" AF feels worse than it is, as you likely know.

We have a 94 year old friend whom we help as she drives her daughter and, especially, son in law to distraction. With us, she's an angel but her husband is harder going thanks to his constant repeating of overly lengthened reminiscences of what would otherwise be fascinating stories. This makes even a simple task take ten times longer!

Steve

[DianeEM]

I believe stress always triggers my episodes, never major incidents, I seem to sail through those, just silly niggley things out of my control. Usually A F comes on 2 days after the stress event.

[secondtry]

My experience stress can trigger whilst experiencing it and (as BobD says) also in the calm after stress has finished ie roller coaster is not good for the heart.

Suggest you take steps to remove the stress or counter it with something calming. The goal being to keep you emotions on a level for years until your Vagal Nerve gets its normal elasticity back (ie doesn't stay out like a choke on engines) and stops sending stress messages to your brain and also stomach area producing digestive issues.

[Buffafly]

Definitely, but depends what kind of stress! Long term stress doesn’t seem to affect it much but a sudden surge of adrenaline is very bad and I can feel the effect on my heart. I was recently prescribed a beta blocker because I was going through a period of extreme stress but after a few days I had what might have been a severe reaction and had to stop it until I can get advice at the AF clinic I have finally been referred to 🙄

[Staffsgirl]

I have absolutely no doubt that mine is exacerbated by stress. I find my main problem is teasing out which symptoms are stress and which symptoms are AF. We can’t eliminate stress from our lives, but we can develop strategies to cope with it: easier said than done!

[LaceyLady]

Yes I’d say stress affect me. Having developed PAF, T2D and finding I have Haemochromatosis genetic iron overload and add my brothers death curtesy of the hospital, still ongoing investigations, misplacing things 😵‍💫 all in the last 4 yrs

[Watermelon-]

Yes, definitely. Stress is a huge factor for me. Whether it is emotional or physical. I have learned to try to avoid being around too long with people that cause me stress. It is very hard when it is family. I hope this helps.

[Karendeena in reply to Watermelon-]

Thank you, yes, my mum knows how to push my buttons. She used to be my best friend, now she shouts, screams, behaves like a child having a tantrum and calls me names. All tests confirm she doesn't have dementia but some damage from a small stroke to the part of the brain that controls personality. It's so sad and really stresses me out. I have to learn to stay away a bit more. It's a complicated situation 😕

[Watermelon-]

I am so sorry that you are having to go through this process with your mom. I had a similar experience with my mom when she had dementia, and us trying to help my dad navigate through it. That's when my Afib started to get way more intense.

[Karendeena in reply to Watermelon-]

I feel alone with it all. Sadly, I have no children and one brother who had a stroke in January so I am carrying all of the pressure.How is your afib now if you don't mind me asking?

[Watermelon- in reply to Karendeena]

I am so sorry. That must be so hard.I had ablation surgery in June, and a cardioversion in July after the afib came back. I am finally in sinus rhythm. This has been a hard year with a shoulder replacement, breast cancer lumpectomy, ablation surgery and a cardioversion. I am tired but am getting more energy day by day.

I am praying that your mom will get easier to care for.

[CheriAlli23]

Sorry to hear about your situation and YES I feel that stressful or exciting experiences seem to bring on A-Fib episodes for me.

Not fun!

[Model52]

Absolutely certain that my Afib episodes are linked to stress. I then get what is called ‘vagally triggered Afib’ which often occurs after meals, at night, while bending over, burping or getting up too quickly. If any of these triggers sound familiar to you, chances are that your Afib is also of the ‘vagal’ kind. In which case Sotalol is not the best choice. Flecainide and disopyramide normally perform much better in such cases. It is very worth while finding out and see what your cardiologist has to say about that. All the best and… eternal sinus rhythm!