Atrial fibrillation primarily affects older adults, is characterized by irregular heart rhythms, and can have serious health consequences such as blood clots, strokes, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications.
A new investigation has revealed that one in four women can develop atrial fibrillation after menopause and that the main risk factors that influence its appearance are stress and insomnia, which highlights the importance of taking care of emotional well-being and rest during this stage of life.
“In my general cardiology practice, I see many postmenopausal women in perfect physical health who struggle with lack of sleep and negative psychological and emotional feelings or experiences, which we now know can put them at risk of developing atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Dr. Susan. X. Zhao, a cardiologist at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, Calif., and the study’s lead author. “I strongly believe that, in addition to age, genetics and other risk factors related to heart health, psychosocial factors are the missing piece in the puzzle of the genesis of atrial fibrillation.”
Lack of sleep can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation
The research analyzed data from 83,736 women between the ages of 50 and 79 (with an average age of 64 years) who responded to questionnaires for the Women’s Health Initiative, a major US study. Participants were asked questions about stressful life events—loss of a loved one, illness, divorce, financial problems, and verbal, physical, or sexual domestic abuse—feeling of optimism—believing that good things can happen—social support –having friends to talk to in difficult or stressful situations, having help with daily tasks…– and insomnia –problems falling asleep, waking up during the night and general quality of sleep–.
“Atrial fibrillation is a disease of the electrical conduction system and is prone to hormonal changes resulting from stress and lack of sleep”
The researchers found that stressful life situations, lack of sleep, disorders such as depression or anxiety, or feelings of being overwhelmed by one’s circumstances are often interrelated. It is difficult to know if these factors progressively accumulate over the years to increase the risk of atrial fibrillation as women age.
