Anxiety and atrial fibrillation: an interesting bidirectional association.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation stands as one of the most common supraventricular arrhythmias. Its incidence in general population has escalated significantly over the last few decades. The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with atrial fibrillation is currently a vital concern in cardiovascular health management. Accordingly, key elements of meager HRQoL of AF patients demand better clarification. Nowadays, several reports have tested the mutual relation between anxiety and AF initiation and progression. Significantly, anxiety affects how the patients approach their disease and, additionally, anxiety may affect the efficiency of various AF therapies. The goal of this research is to explore an area that considered by patients to be challenging before the therapeutic work-up. Study concluded that there is a multifaceted relationship between AF and anxiety. AF can ground anxiety among patients and equally, anxiety can pave a background that is favorable for the initiation and Progression of AF.

Triggers for Atrial Fibrillation: The Role of Anxiety

“…For those AF patients who scored more than 7 on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), 85% have the possibility of recurrence. In another study, Yu et al reported an increased risk of AF recurrence due to anxiety after taking circumferential pulmonary vein ablation [24, 43]. These studies show that anxiety disorders have an impact on AF treatment success, suggesting that these psychological disturbances can have a major role on the development and progression of AF.…”

“…Increased sympathetic tone, lessened vagal tone, and the cardinal symptoms of anxiety could be major provocative factors of postoperative AF acting as trigger and modulating the autonomic nervous system [24, 40].…”

“…Additionally, patients suffering from anxious and depressive disorders are more likely to have increased activity of sympathetic nervous system [23] and subsequently catecholamine overload [24, 25]. It is known that elevated serum catecholamine levels can trigger Takotsubo (or stress) cardiomyopathy through microvascular endothelial damage and catecholamine cardiotoxic effects [26, 27].…”