VICDOC Winter 2022 - Magazine - Page 9
REPORT
STRESS REDUCTION +
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
MANAGEMENT
—
Psychological stress is recognised as a contributing
factor in initiating and heightening the most common
irregular heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation.
And while there is a growing body of literature linking
stress with a range of cardiovascular diseases there is
still much more work to be done in defining this.
In a review published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology,
researchers from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
and The Alfred Hospital highlight potential mechanisms
linking stress and atrial fibrillation, and the possible use
of stress reduction in its management.
It is estimated more than 500,000 people in Australia
suffer from atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is an
irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that can lead to
blood clots forming in the heart. People diagnosed with
atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of stroke, heart
failure and other heart-related complications. Atrial
fibrillation also leads to increasing anxiety, depression
and suicidal ideation.
There is significant global variation in people
reporting psychological stress, but on average it is
reportedly experienced by 1 in 3 people. Reported stress
levels have been on the rise annually with the COVID-19
pandemic leading to an even larger increase in selfreported psychological distress.
“We are seeing that psychological stress and even
negative emotions are associated with initiation and
heightening of atrial fibrillation” says senior study
author, Professor Peter Kistler. “By recognising stress
as a potentially modifiable risk factor in these patients,
we can develop a more holistic management approach.
As such, targeted stress reduction may improve
symptom perception and outcomes for patients
with atrial fibrillation.”
The researchers examined studies on the role of
stress in this disorder, as well as modifying traditional
atrial fibrillation risk factors such as diet, alcohol
cessation and exercise.
“Recently, lifestyle modification has emerged as an
important pillar of atrial fibrillation management, with
stress reduction a potential reversible risk factor and
future target for intervention,” Professor Kistler says.
The review also focuses on the bidirectional nature of
the atrial fibrillation and stress relationship. It looks at
the role of acute and chronic stress in inducing atrial
fibrillation; the role stress plays on physiologically
changing the heart; gender differences in response to
stress; as well as how to measure stress, which is often
subjective and self-reported.
What's
On
—
1—30/6
Bowel Cancer
Awareness Month
13—19/6
International
Men's Health Week
21/6
MND Global Day
27/6
PTSD Awareness Day
1—31/7
Dry July
24/7
Donate Life Week
––
VI CD O C WI NTER 2022
9