Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac dysrhythmia and is an accelerating public health challenge. Challenges related to detection, management, and prevention of disability and dysfunction secondary to AF are increasingly apparent. The subspecialty of cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology, is primarily tasked with the treatment of AF. Patients with AF are often ambushed by the condition with approximately 28% to 38% of patients experiencing significant anxiety or depressive symptoms. Behavioral risk reduction can be targeted by achieving and maintaining a healthy BMI, abstaining from smoking, avoiding alcohol consumption, and sustaining regular physical activity. AF patients are also tasked with considering possible treatment options, adhering to medication regiments & lifestyle changes, utilizing wearable technologies, and managing emotional distress, to minimize health risks and optimize quality of life. Major medical organizations have called for integrated, multidisciplinary management as the treatment of choice for AF patients. Health psychologists bring valuable expertise but are not uniformly involved in the care of AF patients. The purposes of this article are to (a) review the existing research on the medical, psychological, and behavioral aspects of contemporary management of AF, (b) highlight the intersections between cardiac electrophysiology and clinical health psychology in managing AF, and (c) call for more health psychologists in this specialized area of cardiac electrophysiology. This opportunity for health psychologists may challenge the profession to further specialize as "cardiac psychologists" and mirror our medical colleagues.

Background The patient experience of atrial fibrillation (AF) involves several daily self‐care behaviors and ongoing confidence to manage their condition. Currently, no standardized self‐report measure of AF patient confidence exists. The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of a newly developed confidence in AF management measure. Methods This study provides preliminary analysis of the Confidence in Atrial FibriLlation Management (CALM) scale, which was rationally developed to measure patient confidence related to self‐management of AF. The scale was provided to a sample of AF patients N = 120, (59% male) electronically through a patient education platform. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Cronbach's α were employed to provide preliminary assessment of the validity and reliability of the measure. Results PCA identified a four‐factor solution. Internal consistency of the CALM was considered excellent with Cronbach's α = .910. Additional PCA confirmed the value of a single factor solution to produce a total confidence score for improved utility and ease of clinical interpretation. Conclusions Initial assessment of a novel scale measuring patient confidence in managing AF provided promising reliability and validity. Patient confidence in self‐management of AF may prove useful as a key marker and endpoint of the patient experience beyond QOL.

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facility closures. 4 Failure to utilize CR, however, is likely to be associated in patients with a higher burden of disease, reduced participation, and possibly increased mortality. 10 Telerehabilitation approaches could help to address the increasing need for treatment of people with CVD and could provide rehabilitations services during pandemic periods. 11