Atrial fibrillation and managing stress

Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat. It’s commonly called AFib.

The relationship between AFib and stress, anxiety and depression is complex. Some studies say there’s a link between symptoms of these mental health conditions and the risk of AFib. Other studies say there’s not.

For example, some research shows that:

• Feeling depressed or anxious can make AFib symptoms worse.
• Feeling angry or stressed about work may make AFib more likely to happen.
• Having anxiety increases the risk of AFib returning after some treatments.

But a large study of people with regular heart rhythms says that anxiety and severe depression do not raise the risk of AFib. More research is needed to understand any possible links.

High levels of stress and anxiety can raise the risk of many health problems. So managing stress is important for good overall health. If you have AFib, your healthcare professional will likely suggest healthy lifestyle choices to keep your heart healthy. It’s possible that they may help you better manage AFib symptoms.

Ways to manage stress and anxiety are:

• Get regular exercise.
• Do yoga.
• Practice mindfulness.
• Try breathing exercises to calm your heart rate.
• Connect with others in a support group.
• Spend time with supportive family and friends.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Have a positive attitude.

Talk with your healthcare professional if you have symptoms of depression or anxiety. The symptoms include feelings of constant sadness or worry, trouble concentrating, and loss of interest in most activities. You may be sent to a healthcare professional trained in mental health conditions, called a psychologist or psychiatrist.