Does anyone experience Afib just from thinking about it?

Posted by gracie71 @gracie71, Dec 22, 2023

I have Afib and will go for months without an event. But when I become anxious and wonder if another event is on the way, it usually happens within a short period of time.

I wonder how and why this happens.

Also, can anyone say where the best place to go for a cardiac ablation would be?

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My own experience is that I sense something developing which raises my level of anxiety, or makes me more aware of the 'change', and then the AF follows in due course. I don't think or fear that it is impending; I sense its onset.

I have heard good things from various people about Dr. Andrea Natale at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin. He travels to several hospitals, so he might show up near you. Also, the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Pasquale Santangeli.

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I had an ablation at 78 and am now doing great a 791/2. My EP/heart surgeon was the very much in demand Dr, Byron Boulton of WakeMed in Raleigh, NC. He also did my atrial valve repair and LAAC at the same time. He uses his experienced team and Wake Med is renowned for its heart center. I have been off of Eliquis for over a year, feel great, and exercise regularly. Dr. B is great.

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@gacie71,
My EP and cardiologist at Mayo Clinic confirmed that stress and anxiety can cause AFIB. It goes along with excess weight and many other factors. Stress can cause PACs and PVCs which can cause AFIB and VFIB if too many.

Worry and having anxiety over it is not going to help. Have you asked your providers about taking an anxiety medication or give you hints to lesson your worry and stress. Exercise, yoga, deep breathing, etc. Remember according to my EP the major risk from AFIB is strokes and thus the blood clotting medication to help prevent that.

You asked about ablations. How close do you live to a Mayo Clinic? They are in Jacksonville Fl, Phoenix AZ, and Rochester Min. Also Cleveland Clinic is Cleveland Ohio is also excellent. Abalations require real espertise and should be done by an exeperience EP. Do some research on major medical facilities and those specializing in heart treatments.

If you do not live close enough to have ablation done by those above seek other major facilities and providers.
Good luck!

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How long do you have afib for? If you have it every few months do you need an ablation? Are you on blood thinners? Do you need them?

Like @gloaming I can sense it is going to happen. In fact, I went out to a jeweler's to get a battery (which had run out months before) put in my Kardia a week before my last episode.

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It has crossed my mind that thinking about Afib brings it on.

I was watching an interview with Nikki Sixx who has afib. It was not mentioned in the interview. Suddenly boom!Afib started.
However, mostly I start to feel nervous,jittery twitchy before Afib attacks.

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Because of this thread I have been thinking about it and nothing has happened yet! I do think stress can be a trigger along with certain foods and, for me, lifting and GI gas.

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@jc76

@gacie71,
My EP and cardiologist at Mayo Clinic confirmed that stress and anxiety can cause AFIB. It goes along with excess weight and many other factors. Stress can cause PACs and PVCs which can cause AFIB and VFIB if too many.

Worry and having anxiety over it is not going to help. Have you asked your providers about taking an anxiety medication or give you hints to lesson your worry and stress. Exercise, yoga, deep breathing, etc. Remember according to my EP the major risk from AFIB is strokes and thus the blood clotting medication to help prevent that.

You asked about ablations. How close do you live to a Mayo Clinic? They are in Jacksonville Fl, Phoenix AZ, and Rochester Min. Also Cleveland Clinic is Cleveland Ohio is also excellent. Abalations require real espertise and should be done by an exeperience EP. Do some research on major medical facilities and those specializing in heart treatments.

If you do not live close enough to have ablation done by those above seek other major facilities and providers.
Good luck!

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I appreciated your comment on this because I have had that concern for some time and isn't there a situation called "white coat syndrome" from even having your blood pressure taken? I do take an anxiety Rx periodically having been a secondary victim of a violet crime at one time -- wrong place wrong time . However, there's no question the name brand is far more effective than the generic. Can no longer buy the name brand ... impossible to find it even if paying full price and full price is extremely high. I find it does make a difference although some MD's say not. Per comments from others here, Cleveland Clinic has excellent information on line including short videos and they are well regarded in heart issues. Mayo has some related information as well but seems to be far more generalized. I definitely appreciated reading that your Mayo MD acknowledged the potential relationship with anti-anxiety Rx.

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