Stress & relaxation - could they be key AF points for you?

[secondtry]

I have found in the past an AF trigger can also be the key to NSR for example a cold drink gulped down has put me in AF and on another occasion has put me back in NSR.

What I suspected for some time is that stress can affect me the same way. Too much stress has I believe contributed to my initial AF diagnosis and so I have worked hard over the years to reduce this on all fronts - it does take a long time!

However my caveat to others who have a sensitive Vagus Nerve is don't overdo the stress reduction as that could also put you into AF. Moderation in all things.

Why do I say this...10 years ago I decided not to go to a Fleetwood Mac concert coincidentally on my 60th birthday as a precaution. I have also turned down many invitations to go back to the Austrian Alps (my misspent youth). I just had a feeling it would be too risky, too much relaxation/nostalgia. I even mentioned to my cardiologist this month at my annual check-up that I have not fully relaxed for 10 years (during which I have been almost completely AF free) but didn't mention my theory to avoid the rolling eyes reaction.

Today, I have been caught out, become complacent, dropped my guard and think I have proved this over-relaxing hunch.

I had an AF episode shortly after waking up, after many years of being AF free. Many will say it is a coincidence but this month work, social and health checks have been A1 and for some time family and financial have been equally good. In fact the only stress I currently feel is when I listen to our politicians (not often) 😬.

So what's to be done? Well to stop the AF I gulped a cold drink, immediately went on a brisk walk (6 am still dark) and went back into NSR when my head torch caught a fox's eyes close by.

Today, I am going to attend to more difficult work and personal matters and also stop the Magnesium & melatonin skin lotion, which gave me much better sleep but in doing so may have contributed to my AF lapse🤔.

Have a good one!

[CDreamer]

Interesting post. It’s all about what you found works for you and keeping Sympathetic and Para-Sympathetic ANS in balance ie - vagal tone. Too little is as bad as too much - all about balance.

[secondtry in reply to CDreamer]

and Libra is my star sign!

[CDreamer in reply to secondtry]

Well of course that makes ALL the difference 🤗

[Andyb7612]

Hi secondary.. yes that is an interesting post and one I can relate to as well...when I started with af I almost always got an episode when either lying down relaxing or sitting and trying to chill out..when I was either up and about walking or keeping busy they were nowhere near as often in happening...now the flecanide meds I've been on for the last nearly two years have really helped along with life style changes but I always feel if or when they start again I bet its when I'm relaxing at some point...

[Buzby62]

I liked the analogy that was on here recently. AF will find one of its friends to open the door when your system is vulnerable.

Another post on here some time ago mentioned not only stress can be a trigger but also de-stress. I can relate to that when you do something and think this will start me off now, it doesn’t but then relaxing later on does.

Good luck with today’s tasks.

[Shopgal67 in reply to Buzby62]

That’s soooo true

[Bagrat]

I agree with what you've said re some triggers also being a terminator(!) like a rocker switch. I no longer have migraines ( strangely since menopause!) However, I very rarely had migraines when at work. Usually on day off ( I worked shifts for many years). If I was blessed with one while working a marmite sandwich helped, yet pretty sure that could be a trigger too.

[secondtry in reply to Bagrat]

I like the 'rocker switch' analogy. Yes, time off has been my problem too. Thanks for the timely caveat on Marmite, haven't had it for years but recently was considering trying it again...no longer !!

[bassets in reply to Bagrat]

That was me too. Migraines on Sundays but none since the menopause.

[Bagrat]

Marmite was trigger for migraine not AF but I have found engevita as marmite high salt. It may be coincidence but I sprinkle it on wholemeal bread and olive oil and feel I am having less runs of tachycardia than I did. I think I've read B12 plays a part.

food supplement

[Vicmeister in reply to Bagrat]

B12 is absolutely essential for healthy nerves. When I read about B12 I couldn't wait to start taking it, especially when I read that if you are low in B12 or even borderline that B12 helps with repairing nerves and keeping them healthy. Nerves are everywhere in the body and as us AFers know that includes the heart. Since I've been taking it about 6 weeks now, I had 1 event January 6 and so far so good. That is the longest I've gone with no AF. I always have an AF event every 2 to 3 weeks. I know it's early and I'm being very optimistic but no harm in keeping up with your B12.

[Shopgal67 in reply to Vicmeister]

Please keep us posted on how you get on

[mjames1]

Interesting and thanks for sharing, but never think you have out thunk afib. It's always full of surprises.

Jim

[secondtry in reply to mjames1]

I have a love hate relationship with it, it has forced me to change many things for the good and then it keeps popping up to spoil the party 🫣.

[mjames1 in reply to secondtry]

Know what you mean. Sometimes you have give in, but other times I try to take the lead. Lately, I take Flecainide prophylactically for a day or two if I feel an episode coming, just to ruin afib's party.

Jim

[sillguy]

"when you do something [that can be expected to start you] off, it [very often] doesn’t -- but then relaxing later on does" are the truest words ever. Have been dealing with AFib for almost 25 years.

[Rainfern]

Lovely moment with the fox! Not sure the two foxes screeching outside our house last night would help much!

[Peacockmumma]

interesting….im retired…don’t have an awful lot of stress thankfully…some years ago before I was diagnosed I was in AF ,.had a shoulder upper back massage…and heart rate dropped a lot! After the massage..back in AF. May have been laying in my front I couldn’t feel the palpitations as much..who knows lol

[Hugomum]

Thank you for your inspiring blog! I walk my dog in the morning to get me out and about. Very hesitant to do something which raises the pulse and BP to high as l go into AF very easily. Just waiting to hear if my employer is going to pension me off due to ill health which is a difficult one for me to accept as l love my job but it is stressful and very strenuous at times.

[Pommerania78]

I enjoyed your post and theories. I think this is something that you need to develop and write it out in even more detail. Thanks.

[OzJames]

interesting thoughts… I didn’t realise that if on Flecainide stimulation of Vagus nerve would work, for some reason I believed that Flecainide quieten’s things that well we can’t stimulate the Vagus. I’ll give it a go today and might even hop into a cold shower after!