Re: How "key" is chronic stress in atrial fibrillation?

[Colene__0]

Posted By Colleene on July 26, 1999 at 10:48:04
My husband was recently treated for an episode of AF and all of his tests came back normal.  Echo, x-rays, bloodwork of every kind.  I'm glad those are normal, but it's frustrating not being able to point a finger at some cause.  I have done a lot of research so far, and aside from the "physical" conditions that can contrubute to AF I've read about alcohol, caffeine, and stress.  My 32 year old husband has been living with chronic stress (from work) for years now, culminating in all all time high over the past 6 months.  How "key" is stress as an initial trigger, or how much of a danger is it now that his AF has been diagnosed?  I thank you for your time.

[CF-CARDIO-MD-JMF]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD JMF on July 26, 1999 at 15:00:14
Dear Collen,
Thank you for your questions.  It sound as though your husband has paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.  While this is a bothersome condition, it is relatively well tolerated from the heart standpoint and can be kept under relatively good control with medications if so desired.  Stress may exacerbate this condition and can cause an inrease in heart rate.  Circulating catecholamine(adrenaline, etc.) all cause an increase in heart rate and may irritate the focus in the atrium that causes atrial fibrillation.  
I realize that it would be ridiculous to try and eliminate stress in our daily lives, but any efforts to reduce anxiety and stress may be valuable.  A medication such as a beta blocker may be of benefit if your husband is prone to "staqge fright" type experiences at work.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you
would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by
using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology
staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.

[PAUL__0]

Posted By PAUL on July 29, 1999 at 15:50:24
Im curious,  I have done a great deal of research over the past 2 years regarding Atrial Fib,  I have fould several clinical abstracts(& placebo controlled double blind studies) along with several board certifed cardiologists who are leaning more and more towards a nutritional approach at least in conjunction with traditional therapy.
A good example is intravenious Magnesium therapy, sometimes along with digoxin given at the onset of Atrial fib and other arrythmias symptoms I have found several Hospitals advocate such therapy.
I understand this thinking is not currently as mainstream as It could be.
I asked my Cardiologist to have an intracellular magnesium test done, He had no idea what I ws talking about!
As long as conventional treatment is not ignored,  AND is done so under a physicians supervision what could possibly be the harm?
I am currently taking magnesium supplements along with Co-Q10 and hawthorn along with a good  supplemental program.
I don't know if the supplements are helping yet but I FEEL better knowing that I am doing something to possibly alleviate my symptoms!!

I would like to hear from anyone with positive or negative results regarding nutrients and atrial fib!!
Paul










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