Hi just posting about recent event, got caught driving in the flooding in Bedford late at night last week and the stress of it sent heart rate up. And it went into the tachycardia that doesn't stop. Son drove us home and bisiprolol in house brought it down, but very scary. Annoyed and worried that not just exercise but also stress and heart rate into dangerous tachy. Cheers.
Stress starts afib: Hi just posting... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Stress starts afib
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mikefff
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BobDVolunteer
Interesting. Whilst stress is a known trigger for AF I alwasy found it post stress that caused me problems. I would deal with a situation and only when I was relaxing afterwards would it bite me. Shows how different we all are.
That is exactly the same for me BobD .
After 2 ½ years AF free I recently had two extremely stressful situations.
I dealt with the first but had Tachycardia for about an hour. I then relaxed and I went into AF - sorted ultimately with Flecainide
Then a few weeks later an situation which I dealt with only to slip into AF when I sat down and relaxed.
I am now trying to be a recluse to avoid any stressful situation.
Pete
Sorry to hear that Pete, yes moving to a secluded Wood in a tent might be good. Although there's the spiders ...
Perhaps relaxation is your problem Pete - not stress 😄
Annie
I am 100% sure it is the stress unfortunately. There were two extreme incidents of stress and I have had no issues with relaxing. True to say that in the bad old days before my multiple abations I used to go into AF often whilst relaxing.
Pete
Wow -- that's exactly how stress affects a-fib in me too, i.e. after the fact. I didn't know I was the only one!
That is interesting, Bob, I have also noted that after relating, after a stressful event, I might have issues with my afib.
Same for me.
Hi
A bit like the husband. Work 5.1/2 days a week and then get a migraine Sunday morning before an outing or after.
cherio JOY
It must have been a relief to get out of the floods though! Glad you’re okay.
Those floods must have been really scary and a truly horrible experience. It was good that your son drove you home. Fear can kick my heart off racing too, for example when I hear a noise in the middle of the night. I swear that if anyone did break into my house at night I'd die of fright. Fortunately it's now like Fort Knox.
Jean
Yes I've never been actually driving through a running river at night, with high bushes each side.
That must have given you quite a scare and yes, stress is a factor in my problem, it was too much stress in the first place that started my journey many years ago. There was a saying then about fear and flight, I think it was called, others may remember, where arrhythmia was concerned. So pleased you safely came through both the floods and your arrhythmia x
Thanks opal, I always fear it's the one that won't ever come down, maybe time will reduce the worry
We have to get used to living with it, knowing the causes, what's happening and what we can do about it, reducing the stress/worry with knowledge, know our trigger points and also our coping mechanisms or developing them. Ive had it since I was in my 50's, its been a real pain in the proverbial but, I am still here and so will you be so, chin up chest out and move forwards!!!
That’s really interesting. I have recorded that I am generally fine while I am dealing with things but get Afib when I then relax and most of all whilst asleep.
All my episodes over the past two years have been when I am asleep. I have frequent anxious dreams where I am not ready for something. Does anyone else get AF from nightmares?
I know bisiprolol causes them if taken at night!
Have you been tested for apnea? I have issues with adrenaline release so can relate to anxiety etc
Like Mikefff I had an anxious drive home last night (brakes were making a knocking noise) and subsequently suffered a sleepless night (I have Permanent Afib). More than likely a rebound from adrenalin.
No , I have never been tested for sleep apnea. It’s not ever been suggested or occurred to me. Is apnea related to adrenaline release?
Hi, not so much the adrenaline, but as you say you have had episodes whilst asleep apnea is one of the big triggers,
Thank you. I have an appointment with my cardiologist soon. My episodes are getting more frequent and now taking a second flecinide pill to go back into normal rhythm. I had an episode last night. Episodes coming 6 days apart, earlier in the year they were 6weeks apart.
Fingers crossed for you, 🤞
I have anxiety a lot, I have learnt to ignore it as I know it is what they call ‘free floating’ meaning it’s not due to anything real, but of course my body doesn’t know this and may be reaching to it in the form of AF, especially at night when I am asleep. I therefore reasoned maybe I would be better off taking medication to control my anxiety levels rather than allowing it to make my heart go into AF, and have to take Bisoprolol and Flec, as a pill in the pocket as I am doing now to treat the AF. I too like lots of others have said have more anxiety when nothing stress is going on in my life. When I am busy I don’t have anxiety. What do others think about taking medication for anxiety as a way of reducing AF episodes?
Might be better to try natural approach eg cbt, yoga etc breathing before more meds
Yes, better to try the natural approach. I do yoga but only once a week. I have tried many many things to control the anxiety but it has never completely gone away, just less some times than others, and I am never really sure why.
Stress is probably a big factor in triggering AF
Totally agree that stress has certainly been a trigger for me in the past. Now retired though and like an 'easy' life - everything in moderation. Except my AF's all gone horribly haywire recently.
I wonder what's caused that, what does doc say
That my AF is almost exclusively brought on by exertion or by stress. This was after my little stint in A&E after a bout of AF which started one afternoon on the beach with family back in August - too much activity and it was hot (I should have known better I suppose). Turned into tachycardia at home some hours later which didn't stop. EP suggests 3rd ablation, failing that, pace and ablate. Echo and 12 lead ECG on 14th Oct then take it from there to see if I'll be eligible. Since then, I now have persistent AF most hours of the day made worse by simply getting up and going for a walk which is causing me a lot of grief.
Wishing you well.
For me, stress was a big factor (along with tiredness and too much alcohol)
However, it wasn';t really short-term stress that did it. I don't ever remember going into AF, and certainly not tachycardia, as a result of a relatively short-term event.
Nor was "winding down", really. For me, when I was in paroxysmal AF, it was more when I was under longer-term stress, say a bad patch at work or having to sell up and move house. Of course, this sort of scenario also encouraged sleeplessness. Plus, when I was younger, I tended to use alcohol to help me relax in the evening - rarely getting drunk but still consuming a lot more than I should . It took me longer than it should to realise that I was creating a "perfect storm" and that the alcohol was hindering, not helping.
I also used to exercise a lot, including both long-distance running and faster, more intense sessions, but I never linked this with my AF episodes. I guess we are all quite different.
I'm now in persistent AF and, apart from being very easily fatigued, I'm not usually experiencing many unpleasant symptoms. But the trigger factors are still there. I need to take things very easy. Stress, tiredness and more than a couple of drinks can all make me feel much, much worse.
I certainly sympathise with you, Mike, when things totally out of your control are having such a pronounced effect. I guess my reply isn't all that helpful to you, but may be more useful to someone else who reads this.
Interesting how different it can affect people bill thanks
Good morning mikefff
I am exactly the same with regards to stress, when a situation arises I deal with it, basically because you have to! I have kept a diary over the past year and every time I’ve had an AF episode it’s been anywhere from a day to a week after the stress that it occurs. I struggle with stress/anxiety and am now taking an SSRI tablet to see if that eases my struggles. I am also considering CBT as a back up. I am fed up with these feelings and want to explore resolutions.
Interesting that it's delayed reaction, was it tachycardia also
I often tell annoying officials etc about having to avoid stress because of my heart condition. And sadly, your experience shows it’s true.
May have passed you in floods last week! Not just that kind of stress but emotional stress/ distress kicks mine off. I think it may be related to cortisol levels as that hormone is involved in handling stress.
maybe an idea to keep “pill in the pocket” at all times
That puts you in the new af category... event driven af
Hi
Yes
It seems we need our pills everywhere.
On us? In the car? etc
But they don't do well in the heat.
Bisoprolol wouldn't bring my heart down.
It would need to be Diltiazem 120mg CD. From 200 plus to
60s.
I was out at Kaitaia 40kms away when traffic closed road
when river came up and over.
I went straight to hospital as it was accessible and waited there.
I had just started bisoprolol which proved 'not strong enough'. to
control rapid heart rate Day. 156bpm. whwewas Metoprolol 186
breathless and pauses at night on 47avg bpm.
For a while I took pills with me but have got slack.
Luckily tide out I was able to go home. But scary business.
Near a hospital or pharmacy you should be OK.
cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)
Wow amazing story, cheri, all the best to you
Hi
Thanx.
I put it down to life.
Dad died at 83 years Lymphoma the main diagnosis. Then Heart Failure, then Pneumonia bilateral - in both lungs.
Reading up if there is cancer in the thymus (the childhood setting for early imunity then it shrinks) then it can change to lymphoma and I don't want that.
I have grandchildren and great grandchildren , 5 years and 4 years and enjoy meeting up with them and parents. Even an adopted out child can include me! Fantastic especially when my adopted daughter said that she was a grandma. I'm the great nana I reminded her.
Thanx again Mike.
Are you going to share your story on private chat or new tread if you like. How are you coping?
We repliers love to hear that you enjoy real stuff.
1st packing.
cheri JOY
I've had paroxysmal AF for 7 years. It began during a bout of sepsis from dental work. Clearly, the rare episodes I have are triggered by stress. Certain situations that I know create stress I will walk away from, such as offers of more responsibility at work (I'm elderly and that work is just to make ends meet; my career is long over.) When I feel my heart rate getting irregular or faster, I usually down some cool water (dehydration is a constant issue where I live) and some extra bisoprolol, chew on an aspirin for good measure, and do a mindless activity like folding laundry. If my heart doesn't return to normal within 15 minutes, I head for what has turned out to be my ultimate cure all. And that is to drink about 3 ounces of port. Doing so reliably calms me enough to stop the episode. I don't know if that will work for everyone, but I do know 2 other persons that it helps.
I think we all respond to stress- but the timing of it is different. Like BobD it'll be the next day, or when I'm 'coming down' that my heart will kick in. Glad you are safe. It was concerns about the flooding close to ours in 2019 that set my AF off in the first place. I'm now more sanguine about that sort of thing - but a new or unexpected stress would be likely to set me off.
Stress will definitely trigger afib … l was recently expecting friends from California to stay with us overnight … haven’t seen them in 10 years. I was getting ready … wanting to look beautiful … my home perfect … two housekeepers here to help with serving and etc. Everything was PERFECT, Suddenly afib started … l popped this pill and it went away before they arrived! Thank you Dearest Almighty! I was praying like crazy.
Bad timing, I need to find out about the cortisol involvement
Hi
Well, Mike the BB meds help with cortisol blocking. Bisoprolol best if you are a AFer.
My rapid heart rate came down with CCB by blocking out calcium (Calcium Channel Blocker) and at a low dose of 120mg CD Diltiazem.
So my persistent 1/2 day.night AF is not stress related.
I was reading this book and the lass popped Bisoprolol into her mouth before a new date!
Well, it seeks Port does the same for some. Specialist for Essential Tremor in left hand said meds - a BB or a glass of red.
I failed the tests for Parkinson.
cherio JOY
I did an NHS stress management course. 6 sessions of about 45 minutes, all by phone. Frankly, I didn't have great expectations and thought it was maybe a bit "Janet and John" ( breathing slowly etc). But I was wrong, and found it really useful to be more conscious of what was generating stress and how to deal with it. So it was really helpful.
Great idea I'll check that out.
Yes. Stress is known trigger both for a fib and atrial flutter as well as SVT. I've sometimes gone into an arrhythmia within seconds of a stressful event. Fortunately, since my ablation that has stopped.
Jim
You are correct..This happened to me last week.
I have been in NSR since February after a cardioversion. I was due to join a cruise in Athens last Sunday for 7 days with two night in Athens before and two in Lisbon at the end before flying back to Manchester.
We were all set to board the flight to Athens from Manchester Airport to start our holiday when at the departure gate I went into rapid Afib ( this was the ruddy stress of the airport and a delayed flight!! )..Paramedics called and as suspected, Rapid Afib 160BPM.
Ambulance was called and I ended up in Wythenshaw A&E!!...Consultant said it was probably stress and after 2.5 Hrs I converted back to NSR on my own..No treatment needed. I was on Bisoprolol and advised to increase it to 5mg from 2.5mg..My wife drove me back home to the Fylde coast that evening after being discharged...A complete bummer...I need to calm DOWN!!!...I have been in NSR ever since...One buggered up holiday
That's terrible, next time maybe take extra bisiprolol before?
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