Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnxiety’s RoleCan Anxiety Feel Like AFib?Worsening SymptomsManaging Stress and Anxiety
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anxiety’s Role
Can Anxiety Feel Like AFib?
Worsening Symptoms
Managing Stress and Anxiety
Anxietyandatrial fibrillation(AFib) are two very different conditions that cause many similar symptoms. AFib is an irregular heart rhythm where the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat very fast. This causes symptoms that can be mistaken for anxiety. Research is showing that anxiety and AFib are related.
This article will explain their relationship and ways to manage anxiety and stress.
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What Role Does Anxiety Play in Causing Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)?
Anxiety has been known to occur after someone has atrial fibrillation due to the decrease in their quality of life.Someone who has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation may find the diagnosis and future health risks a burden and develop anxiety. It is also well-documented that anxiety is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
However, research is still being done on how anxiety could cause atrial fibrillation. One of the proposed theories is that anxiety can alter theautonomic nervous systemand change the atrial substrate, resulting in the development of atrial fibrillation.More research is needed, but there seems to be a strong link.
Anxiety is the feeling of or sense of dread, fear, and uneasiness. It can cause physical symptoms that are very similar toatrial fibrillation symptomslike restlessness, fast heart rate, and sweating.
Can Mental Health Conditions Worsen AFib Symptoms?
Several research articles that show mental health conditions can worsen atrial fibrillation. There is no mention of how these health conditions worsen any one specific atrial fibrillation symptom but how they worsen atrial fibrillation as a whole.
A 2022 article review discusses how psychological stress,depression, anxiety, and anger are predictors ofheart failureand coronary artery disease. It goes on to explain that these mental health concerns are also both a result of atrial fibrillation and a risk factor for atrial fibrillation.
Another article review from 2020 found mental health conditions could cause the onset of atrial fibrillation and had a negative prediction of how it progressed.
A third article review from 2019 found the potential reasons why mental health conditions like anxiety facilitate the onset, progression, and continuation of atrial fibrillation. It suggested a relationship between atrial fibrillation and anxiety. This review then discussed how identifying this relationship can open the doors to new atrial fibrillation treatments.
Stressand anxiety are a part of many people’s lives. In some scenarios stress and anxiety are normal and a healthy part of life. It can help you focus, cope, or give an energy boost. But when stress and anxiety continue and become overwhelming, intervention needs to occur.
The first-line treatments for anxiety and stress management are therapy and medication.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that teaches ways to think and behave differently. It encourages people to face their fears and gives them strategies to change how they react to stress, fear, and anxiety.
Medications are also used to treat anxiety. A healthcare provider will work with patients to determine which types ofantianxiety medicinesare best based on the specific type of anxiety disorder and other factors.
Summary
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm that produces many of the same symptoms as anxiety. Research is showing a relationship between atrial fibrillation and anxiety. People who have atrial fibrillation are more likely to have anxiety and other mental health conditions and anxiety can contribute to the onset of atrial fibrillation.
If you are experiencing atrial fibrillation and anxiety symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation and a personalized treatment plan.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Severino P, Mariani MV, Maraone A, et al.Triggers for atrial fibrillation: The role of anxiety.Cardiol Res Pract. 2019;2019:1208505. doi:10.1155/2019/1208505MedlinePlus.Anxiety.Temple Health.Is it stress, anxiety, or AFib?Segan L, Prabhu S, Kalman JM, Kistler PM.Atrial fibrillation and stress.JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. 2022;8(8):1051-1059. doi:10.1016/j.jacep.2021.12.008Ladwig KH, Goette A, Atasoy S, Johar H.Psychological aspects of atrial fibrillation: A systematic narrative review.Curr Cardiol Rep. 2020;22(11):137. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01396-w
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Severino P, Mariani MV, Maraone A, et al.Triggers for atrial fibrillation: The role of anxiety.Cardiol Res Pract. 2019;2019:1208505. doi:10.1155/2019/1208505MedlinePlus.Anxiety.Temple Health.Is it stress, anxiety, or AFib?Segan L, Prabhu S, Kalman JM, Kistler PM.Atrial fibrillation and stress.JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. 2022;8(8):1051-1059. doi:10.1016/j.jacep.2021.12.008Ladwig KH, Goette A, Atasoy S, Johar H.Psychological aspects of atrial fibrillation: A systematic narrative review.Curr Cardiol Rep. 2020;22(11):137. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01396-w
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Severino P, Mariani MV, Maraone A, et al.Triggers for atrial fibrillation: The role of anxiety.Cardiol Res Pract. 2019;2019:1208505. doi:10.1155/2019/1208505MedlinePlus.Anxiety.Temple Health.Is it stress, anxiety, or AFib?Segan L, Prabhu S, Kalman JM, Kistler PM.Atrial fibrillation and stress.JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. 2022;8(8):1051-1059. doi:10.1016/j.jacep.2021.12.008Ladwig KH, Goette A, Atasoy S, Johar H.Psychological aspects of atrial fibrillation: A systematic narrative review.Curr Cardiol Rep. 2020;22(11):137. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01396-w
Severino P, Mariani MV, Maraone A, et al.Triggers for atrial fibrillation: The role of anxiety.Cardiol Res Pract. 2019;2019:1208505. doi:10.1155/2019/1208505
MedlinePlus.Anxiety.
Temple Health.Is it stress, anxiety, or AFib?
Segan L, Prabhu S, Kalman JM, Kistler PM.Atrial fibrillation and stress.JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology. 2022;8(8):1051-1059. doi:10.1016/j.jacep.2021.12.008
Ladwig KH, Goette A, Atasoy S, Johar H.Psychological aspects of atrial fibrillation: A systematic narrative review.Curr Cardiol Rep. 2020;22(11):137. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01396-w
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