Interesting study on Cortisol levels and AF when we wake in the morning

[OzJames]

I saw this study by accident whilst reading up on benefits of magnesium in reducing Cortisol levels which we know can kick off AF in some. Might explain why some of us get AF in the morning. They mention a drug that can help, but not its name! I'll stick to magnesium for the time being...

imperial.ac.uk/news/252500/....

[KiwiBlake]

That's very interesting. Given cortisol is a stress hormone, I wonder why it is released upon awakening. I would have thought after a good night's sleep would be when we are least stressed. I wonder if the cortisol release is getting us ready to be active, as cortisol then gets the adrenal glands to release adrenaline and get your muscles going. Cortisol remains circulating for some time in your blood once released. Thanks James for posting.

[OzJames in reply to KiwiBlake]

actually what you say makes sense. We also have adrenaline which my Cardiologist thinks might kick off some AF as well. He prescribed me metoprolol not for high HR as mine is 65 without drugs but to tamp down the adrenaline spike that sometimes he thinks i get before AF.

[KiwiBlake in reply to OzJames]

Previously I was on daily Bisoprolol. I'm now on PIP Metropolol. I find both of these have a calming effect on me, reducing the "on the edge" feeling when on an adrenaline spike.

[OzJames in reply to KiwiBlake]

yes it does give a calm feel and he’s added 25mg Flecainide to my twice daily routine as I’ve had 2 episodes in the last year and trying to defy the odds and get it the other way 1 episode in 2 years!! Mind you I’ve had PAF for 32 years now but only once every 4-5 yrs until a few years ago

[secondtry in reply to KiwiBlake]

Stress, cortisol & AF may be quite complex; as I have found AF can be caused and stopped by the same thing eg cold drink and this may apply to stress also. I have concluded it centres around the heart liking a balance; this means AF can kick of quite easily when you are stressed all day and then go into relaxation mode at night either before bed in bed or in the morning. In my case the Vagus Nerve may have become over sensitised and needs a period of years of calm to re-adjust.

My AF has changed somewhat recently and I find when I am busy/occupied during the day it tends to lay low but at the end of the day or in bed make itself known.

[OzJames in reply to secondtry]

That’s interesting… I’m trying to be more mindful of my triggers and I find looking at my HRV on my watch gives me a clue if it starts to spike in an ascending pattern from its normal range I then don’t rush around or exercise and it normally drops. Not sure if it’s just ectopic activity which increases the HRV. I do know that ectopics has pushed me into AF a couple of times. I’ve got used to checking before I do Pilates or go to golf or get on the indoor bike and just glance at the HRV if normal then go, if high I stay put

[secondtry in reply to OzJames]

Sounds like a good approach.

[Ducky2003]

I also discovered recently, that cortisol can inhibit Vit D absorption. Best friend, sadly, diagnosed with cancer, nearly died from blood clots in her lungs after her op, so I've had a particularly stressful time of late. On a routine blood test, my Vit D had plummeted from in the 80s to the 50s, despite taking prescription supplements for a long time. After mentioning being stressed, I was told to increase the dose for the time being and try and keep the stress levels down.

[OzJames in reply to Ducky2003]

Ducky sorry to hear about your friend hope things settle for your friend. Try deep breathing through your nose a few times a day for 5 minutes it’s quite meditative and might help. A very important thing about taking VitD is that it’s not very soluble in water, it is fat soluble, so for proper absorption take with a meal or as I do with a desert spoon of olive oil and some nuts or peanut butter or avocado. A lot of people don’t realise this and just take with a bit of water so your probably only getting about 10-20% of it absorbed.

[Ducky2003 in reply to OzJames]

Thank you. I know that as I've been taking it a long while, ticking along quite nicely but it was a sudden drop coinciding with a massive amount of stress. Things are somewhat calmer at the moment.

[OzJames in reply to Ducky2003]

are you taking the Vit D with food/fats? if not it could mean your not getting much benefit

[Ducky2003 in reply to OzJames]

As I mentioned, I've been taking Vit D supplements for a long time, with no issue, so this is a recent blip that has coincided with a period of stress.I know about the fat thing but but it's never made any difference to my levels, which are checked every 3/4 months. 😊

[Brightness14 in reply to Ducky2003]

Did you know that you should be taking K2 with the Vit D too. This sends your calcium into your bones and teeth, instead of sending it to your soft tissue. Take it with the fattest meal of the day.

[OzJames in reply to Brightness14]

Thank you I had heard that but wasn’t sure but that’s good to know

[Ducky2003 in reply to Brightness14]

Yes, I know about the fatty meals, which I don't tend to have as I have gallstones. I have parathyroid issues as well so I'm just prescribed Vit D, used to be with calcium, but that was stopped. I have been doing nothing different with regards to my Vit D supplementation, which was keeping my levels up. The only difference has been the stress problem and the cortisol reaction was what was suggested as the reason.

Things are somewhat calmer now so we'll see what the next blood test shows.

[pusillanimous in reply to Ducky2003]

I read your comment regarding Vit D with interest, and wondered what the '80' measurement is. I have just had my annual blood test and the report under Vit D states the following:

Vit D deficiency : < 12 ng ml.

Vit D insufficiency: 12-20 ng/ml

Vit D sufficiency: > 20 ng/ml

Safe Upper Limit 50-60 ng/ml.

I wondered if a different measurement or standard is being used, as these measurements appear to relate to osteoporosis. I'm in South Africa. Thank you.

[OzJames in reply to pusillanimous]

was your level 80 is that what you mean, if its beyond the range they generally make a comment. in Australia ours is measured 'nmol' not ng/ml and it s recommended to be 50 or more to be adequate and range 60-80 in summer

[pusillanimous in reply to OzJames]

I was responding to Ducky who said her Vit D had plummeted from in the 80s to 50s. My own is 40, but the path lab, when they do tests put the desirable and undesirable measurements for every test they perform, so their report on an all-embracive routine blood test amounts to 6 pages. Consequently, I copied their figures which places 80 above the safe upper limit for Vit D, hence the reason I queried Ducky's figure of '80s'. My personal only questionable measurement, are very slightly enlarged red blood cells, for which they recommended Vit B and Folic Acid.

[Ducky2003 in reply to pusillanimous]

Hi. My figures are always given in nmol/l. Perhaps this is the UK standard. 75-125 is considered optimal.

[pusillanimous in reply to Ducky2003]

Thank you, obviously different measurement, although Oz James in Australia is in nmol and 50 - 60-80 is adequate depending on the season. Different standards for different hemispheres, maybe ?

[ozziebob]

Isn't the article referring particularly to ventricular arrhythmias? Your Post description only mentions AF? The article concludes ...

"This intriguing study in mice reveals a possible solution to the mystery of why ventricular arrhythmias are more common in the morning. Identifying a rise in cortisol as the culprit could allow us to explore new treatment options that could reduce arrhythmias in those most at risk"

Are you reading the article as including the less dangerous AF arrhythmia along with the more dangerous ventricular arrhythmias in the conclusions?

[OzJames in reply to ozziebob]

i've re-read and yes your right Bob my error but i wonder if it still applies to AF