At 53, can anxiety affect my atrial fibrillation?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 53 years old male and have atrial fibrillation, and during longer episodes, I notice myself becoming more aware of every heartbeat, which seems to make things worse.

How do people stay calm during a prolonged atrial fibrillation (AFib) episode while waiting for symptoms to settle?
Are there signs that mean I should stop trying to manage it at home and seek immediate help?
Can anxiety during episodes make the rhythm problem more difficult to control?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Many people with atrial fibrillation (AFib) become very aware of their heartbeat during episodes, and anxiety can make symptoms feel more intense by increasing adrenaline levels, although it does not usually cause the AFib itself. During a known AFib episode, you should try the following things,

Sit or lie down.
Stay hydrated.
Avoid caffeine.
Alcohol.
Use slow, controlled breathing to reduce anxiety.

However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you develop

Chest pain.
Severe shortness of breath.
Fainting.
Signs of stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty).
Very rapid heart rate with significant dizziness or weakness.

If episodes are becoming longer, more frequent, or harder to tolerate, discuss this with your cardiologist, as your treatment plan may need adjustment.

You can use medication to control heart rate and rhythm, and anticoagulation to prevent stroke or thromboembolic phenomenon. And please avoid the triggers that I mentioned above. Hydration is very important.

Feel free to ask further queries.

Thank you.