A new study has found respite for individuals prone to emotion-triggered atrial fibrillation (AF). It shows that psychological stress, anger in individuals with AF can be blocked by beta blockers. 

Beta blockers are a class of medicines that block the effect of beta-adrenergic substances, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), that play a key role in the sympathetic portion of the involuntary nervous system. They temporarily stop or reduce the body's natural "fight-or-flight" responses and reduce stress on certain parts of the body. The study published in the Journal 'Heart Rhythm' defines AF as an irregular, rapid heart rate that may cause symptoms like heart palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath.

It can be triggered by psychological stress and negative emotions such as anger. "In a previous research study, we found that among patients with a history of AF, anger and stress were associated with subsequent episodes of AF," explained lead investigator Rachel Lampert. 

Lampert added, "We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that beta blockers may reduce the triggering effect of anger or stress on AF." "Psychological stress increases sympathetic activity and decreases vagal activity," added co-investigator Matthew M. Burg. "Catecholamines increase and heart rate variability decreases with anger-recall and other stress-inducing laboratory protocols, which in turn alter electrophysiological properties of the atrium, likely pathways from stress to AF," Burg added. 

In this prospective controlled study, patients with a history of AF were identified through chart review of individuals undergoing cardioversion and/or diagnosed with AF. Among these 1,477 patients, 188 patients met inclusion criteria and 95 chose to participate in the study, conducted from 2004 to 2009. 

Participants carried an electronic diary with them for a year and recorded the emotions they experienced before AF episodes, as well as captured their heart rhythm on a handheld monitor whenever they developed symptomatic AF for five or more minutes. 

They were also asked to record their emotions while wearing 24-hour ambulatory ECG (Holter) monitors once a month. The emotional recordings during normal rhythm while wearing the Holter monitors served as controls. Fifty-six of the participants were prescribed agents with beta-blocking activity. The results showed that patients taking beta blockers experienced anger and stress as often as those not taking these medications, however, these emotional episodes increased the odds of AF by just four times compared with 20 times in those not taking beta blockers. 

In participants taking beta blockers not including anti-arrhythmic properties, the effect was even stronger, completely blocking the pro-arrhythmic effect of anger or stress. "We show that beta blockers can block the deleterious effects of emotion in those prone to emotion-triggered AF," commented Dr. Lampert.