8 Way to Cope With the Fear and Anxiety of Atrial Fibrillation

For a substantial portion of A-Fib patients, the impact on ‘Quality of Life’ extends beyond our beating heart. Atrial Fibrillation wreaks havoc with your head as well as your heart. Anxiety, fear, worry, confusion, frustration and depression. And at times, anger.

The psychological and emotional effects of Atrial Fibrillation can be debilitating. Research indicates that “psychological distress” worsens A-Fib symptoms’ severity.

Anxiety by itself can produce physical symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, sleep issues, shortness of breath, exhaustion, muscle aches, shaking and trembling, sweaty palms, difficulty swallowing, a racing heart like in A-Fib, getting colds frequently because of a depressed immune system.

(Don’t expect much help from your heart doctors. They aren’t trained or often have little effective experience in dealing with the psychological and emotional aspects of A-Fib.)

Don’t be ashamed to admit how A-Fib makes you feel (especially if you’re a guy). Your psyche is just as important as your physical heart. Just acknowledging you have some or all of these symptoms is a step in the right direction.

WAYS TO COPE WITH YOUR A-FIB FEAR AND ANXIETY

1. Knowledge is Power and Control!

Read about your treatment options, learn about your A-Fib. Read how others have dealt with their A-Fib. Search the list of Personal Experiences published on his site. With over 100 stories, you’re sure to find a few patients with similar symptoms as yourself. Knowing others have beaten their A-Fib is a tremendous psychological relief. This helps replace fear with hope!

2. Anxiety Thought Log

Confront your A-Fib fears directly. Don’t let them mill around in your subconscious. Former A-Fib patient, Anthony Bladon, suggests you keep an ‘anxiety thoughts log.’ Write down word-for-word what the anxious thought was, when, and what was the trigger. Confront each fearful thought and try to re-state it in a more reasonable frame of mind, thereby reducing the anxiety.

Or set aside a 20 minute worrying time during the day and refuse to think about troubling fears at any other time.

3. Yoga, Relaxation Techniques, Meditation and Walking 

Yoga: In studies, Yoga has been demonstrated to improve A-Fib symptoms and to reduce A-Fib attacks, as well as improve quality of life, depression and anxiety. (See also FAQ: “I do Yoga. It relaxes me and helps with my stress level.“)

Relaxation techniques and meditation: These may also offer you relief from your anxieties.

Mindful breathing, a simple meditation practice, can lower stress, improve focus and support overall health. Learn Mindfulness Exercises at MayoClinic.org.

A specific type of meditation called ‘Mindfulness’ is recommended by Harvard Pilgrim nurse case manager Linda Bixby. The technique is to ‘Observe and Feel the Physical Sensations’ of the A-Fib episodes. The idea is to observe rather than resist or worry. You allow a frightening health event like an A-Fib attack to just run its course.

Walking curbs anxiety. Try to walk outdoors at approximately the same time each day. Breathing fresh air and having an established routine enhance the calming and relaxing effects of walking. But even if you can’t walk at the same time or outdoors, 20 minutes of walking daily reduces anxiety.

Use your imagination and creativity with activities that fulfill you. Focus on physical sensations rather than emotional. Take a shower, exercise, walk.

4. Natural Remedies:

Lavender Oil Aromatherapy: the light, soothing fragrance of lavender oil has long been used to ease anxiety (and insomnia). One example of many is Nature’s Way Calm Aid. It contains Silexan, a type of lavender oil shown in clinical studies to ease anxiety as effectively as the benzodiazepine drug lorazepam (Ativan).

PharmaGABA: a bioidentical form of GABA (gamma-ami­nobutyric acid), which serves as a critical calming agent in the central nervous system, it works on the same chemical pathways as Xanax, Valium, and other drugs—without all the negative side effects; it helps combat stress and anxiousness. Learn more about GABA. One example is Natural Factors PharmaGABA 

Relora: a blend of two botanical extracts (Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense) that helps reduce cortisol levels and promotes feelings of relaxation. Read the research.

Chamomile: calms the nerves, reduces irritability and lessens the muscle spasms, headache and abdominal pain that can accompany anxiousness. Chamomile tea: 1–3 cups daily; Chamomile capsules: convenient, particularly at bedtime, dosages 250-1,100 milligrams per capsule; Chamomile essential oil: add two drops to a hot bath at night.

Gotu Kola: restores health to brain and nerve cells by promoting blood circulation to the brain which has a calming effect. Read more at Healthline.com.

5. Professional Counseling and Meds

Recognize that you may need professional help. Don’t be embarrassed to seek counseling.

In addition, discuss if anxiety medication would be appropriate or helpful. Benzodiazepines “benzos” are a class of drugs that may help control the symptoms of anxiety (Xanax, Valium).

6. Enlist Support From Your Loved Ones

Recognize that A-Fib can have significant consequences on your social interactions with your family and colleagues. Sit down and have a talk with your significant other(s), your friends and co-workers. Explain what A-Fib is, how it affects you and how it makes you feel. Ask for their understanding.

They will want to help you, so be prepared to answer their questions. Consider using social media to keep in touch.

7. Finding Purpose In Your Life

People who can articulate their life’s purpose are less likely to suffer from cognitive decline. Finding purpose in life makes us more resilient.

Some studies have shown that having a strong sense of purpose can prevent plaque from building up in our heart and brain, and can help keep blood clots from forming. And having purpose reduces stress. There is a correlation between purpose in life and better health regardless of age, sex, education, and race which can result in an extra four years of life.

Examine and even write down what you think about your life. You don’t have to imagine doing things like curing cancer. What about just wanting to be fully there for your children or grandchildren or being healthy enough to volunteer for your favorite charity? Or just being able to walk around the Mall with your friends.

As a help to a more purposeful life, ask yourself these questions:

• What is something you would like to do better?
• Who is someone you would like to love longer?
• What is something you’re hoping for?

8. Cannabis CBD (marijuana, pot)

In the past, several studies have shown CBD as an effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Current studies offer mixed conclusions. CBD is not currently FDA-approved to treat anxiety.

It’s believed that CBDs influence serotonin receptors in the brain, similarly to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), drugs used to treat depression and anxiety. Studies indicate only low-to-moderate doses of CBD have effectively lowered anxiety while heavy use dulls the effect. Read the research.

CBD products aren’t well regulated and may contain contaminants. Check product quality carefully. As an alternative to smoking pot, try edibles or tinctures.

What Patients Need to Know

Use these ideas and techniques to cope with the fear and anxiety of Atrial Fibrillation. Your efforts can help lessen the burden of A-Fib and improve your Quality of Life.

Fight your fears! Ambush your anxiety! Atrial Fibrillation may be in your heart but it doesn’t have to be in your head. Seek your freedom from anxiety and improve your Quality of Life.

Other ideas? If you have suggestions or programs that helped reduce your A-Fib-related anxiety, please email me and let me know.

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If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y  Last updated: Thursday, August 20, 2026

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