Effect of β-blockers on triggering of symptomatic atrial fibrillation by anger or stress.

Background: Anger and stress can trigger episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with a history of AF.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether β-blockers can protect against emotionally triggered AF.

Methods: In this prospective, controlled, electronic diary-based study of emotions preceding AF, patients with a history of paroxysmal or persistent AF (N = 91) recorded their rhythm on event monitors at the time of AF symptoms and completed a diary entry querying mood states (eg, anger and stress) for the preceding 30 minutes (pre-AF "case period") for 1 year.

Cumulative stress and autonomic dysregulation in a community sample.

Whether cumulative stress, including both chronic stress and adverse life events, is associated with decreased heart rate variability (HRV), a non-invasive measure of autonomic status which predicts poor cardiovascular outcomes, is unknown. Healthy community dwelling volunteers (N = 157, mean age 29 years) participated in the Cumulative Stress/Adversity Interview (CAI), a 140-item event interview measuring cumulative adversity including major life events, life trauma, recent life events and chronic stressors, and underwent 24-h ambulatory ECG monitoring. HRV was analyzed in the frequency domain and standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) calculated.

Slow QT interval adaptation to heart rate changes in normal ambulatory subjects.

Background: Clinical formulas for QT correction utilize instantaneous HR. We showed previously that longer-term HR affects QT duration. We extend these findings, identifying more accurate models of QT behavior.