I have been reading through some of the discussions and one in particular had a reply (from Mary1) talking about stress as a trigger for an SCA. She also talked about a genetic test testing for "CPVT". I would really like to learn more about this.
I had my SCA last Dec 16 (2007) and had my ICD implanted on Dec 28. I obviously survived (thanks to many people starting with my wife, the EMTs, the Doctors and Hospital). I have recovered remarkably well and I feel great physically. It was a stressful time with the approaching holidays and serious problems with my business. No one ever said that stress could have been a factor. That's kind of scary to think about now because, although everything seems fine physically, the stress in my life seems to continue to get worse. As a real estate agent, business is extremely slow and another business I have with my son if failing due to the current recession we are experiencing. Finances are tight and I seem to face a new problem or struggle every day.
I have had no additional problems physically and my ICD has been fuctioning just fine. However, if stress can trigger another SCA, I need to find a way to control mine which seems to be controlled by outside forces out of my control.
I would really like to know more about this genetic test and "CPVT". And is there any serious information linking stress to SCA.
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Stress can trigger an SCA?
- By MarylandTom
- Posted September 7, 2008 at 3:53 pm · 8 replies
- In Surviving SCA
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Arrhythmia Long QT syndrome Surgery Brugada syndrome Heart attack Stress Syncope
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- By kbauhs
- Posted September 7, 2008 at 8:17 pm
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I think the stress- connection depends on the underlying condition that led to your SCA. I have Long QT syndrome, type 2. Emotional stress is definitely a trigger (along with certain meds, loud sudden noises, and electrolyte imbalance). My husband's family has CPVT (one survivor, 2 deaths in the 70's). Theirs seems to have a connection more to physical stress. I understand that type 1 LQTS does as well.
There are genetic tests available now for CPVT, LQTS, Brugada syndrome, etc. It's a blessing because a diagnosis can provide answers. I now know what my triggers are and what I can do to minimize my risk.
I worked through a genetics counselor in the cardiology department at John's Hopkins Hospital. I see you're from Silver Spring, MD...not too far away. I can provide contact information if you would like. They accept many insurance plans...and they really have a phenomenal program.
Feel free to contact me if you want additional information. I'm now in your "friends" list.
- By Paul_Pakusch
- Posted September 8, 2008 at 7:36 am
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I am Mary1's husband. I saw this news story last week and wondered if there is a similarity in the type of stress in these people being arrested:
MUNICH (Reuters) - Young men who die suddenly after being arrested by the police may be victims of a new syndrome similar to one that kills some wild animals when they are captured, Spanish researchers said on Tuesday. Manuel Martinez Selles of Madrid's Hospital Gregorio Maranon reached the conclusion after investigating 60 cases of sudden unexplained deaths in Spain following police detention.In one third of the cases, death occurred at the point of arrest, while in the remainder death was within 24 hours, Selles told the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology.All but one of the casualties were male and their average age was just 33 years, with no previous history of cardiovascular disease."Something unusual is going on," Sells said.Just why they died remains a mystery but he believes young men, in particular, may experience surges in blood levels of chemicals known as catecholamines when under severe stress.Adrenaline is one of the most abundant catecholamines."We know that when a wild animal is captured, sometimes the animal dies suddenly," he said."Probably when these young males are captured it is very stressful and their level of catecholamines goes very high and that can finish their life by ventricular fibrillation (cardiac arrest)."Selles compiled his study -- the first of its kind in any country -- by scouring Spanish newspapers for cases of unexplained death after police detention over the past 10 years.Only sudden deaths with no clear causes were included and autopsy reports were checked to exclude the possibility of mistreatment or past serious medical conditions.Twelve of the victims were drug users but Selles said this was not thought to have contributed to their deaths.Jonathan Halperin of the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, who was not involved in the research, said the concept of a heart stress syndrome triggered by a flood of adrenaline or other chemicals was "a reasonable hypothesis.""We all know stress is bad for you and this may be stress in the extreme," he said.
- By gtrogers
- Posted September 12, 2008 at 11:06 am
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Hi there! I haven't been on this site in awhile but when I saw your question if Stress can cause a SCA. I truely believe that is what happened to me. I was probably the most stressed I have ever been in my life when mine occured. It all had to do with work, my boss, co-worker etc.. I thought I was doing a pretty good job about leaving all that behind at the end of the day but I must not have been. I'm a healthy middle aged female, before my SCA I was on only one medication and went to my Dr's regularly. My heart is fine, I didn't have a heart attack. I have gotten quite a few of 2nd opinions and they just can't give me a reason as to why this happened. I have ALWAYS thought mine was due to stress... but for some reason I'm still here and very happy that I'am! Feeling pretty good except for all the meds I'm on now. I still have the same job, boss, co-worker but I just don't let it bother me.... I take deep breaths and count to 10 alot! It just so isn't worth getting all worked up and it took SCA for me to realize it...
- By bannya
- Posted September 28, 2008 at 12:34 pm
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Hi - I, too believe my SCA was definitely influenced by stress. I did have a SCA 11 years ago @ 42 years of age and my children were 6 and 3. I did have CAD in one vessel ( rest of the heart vasculature desribed as pristine) which was not conducive to any surgical options. Other than that no other family/risk factors - slim/fit/low cholesterol etc. One physician did suggest an ICD but I sought out the leading expert of ICD's in Canada and I was advised I was not a candidate. Now 11 years later I have had another SCA. The six weeks leading up to the event were filled with travel every weekend/ houseguests/a full time job in health care mgmt/kids finishing off their school year/ day surgery for menopausal issues/extreme marital discord/aging parent issues/missing my meds/eating and sleeping poorly/most supportive work colleague moved to another organization. I recall the week before my event thinking "you better take care of yourself" and then had another event. My "self'care" was non existent. Have had ICD suggested again but 11 years have gone by with no cardiac issues. I am hesitant to consider the ICD as it does come with a host of issues as well. However, this is also influencing stress. Any thoughts would be helpful - cardiologists here don't seem to consider the "stress" influence
- By MarylandTom
- Posted September 28, 2008 at 1:04 pm
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Hi and thanks for your comments. My doctor's have never expressed any serious link to stress, but I'm starting to become a believer myself. Considering the survival rate for an SCA, I have to say that you are extremely lucky having survived twiced. I'm happy for you. I spent 8 days in a coma after my event and had my ICD implanted 3 days after waking. Honestly, my feelings at the time were that I didn't care what they did to me as long as I recovered and reduced my odds of this occuring again. Most of the time, I feel some comfort knowing the device is there. I do understand there are and can be issues with the leads, but all things considered, I'm glad I have the device. These are my thoughts and feelings, however, everyone's situation and concerns are unique.
- By bannya
- Posted September 28, 2008 at 2:33 pm
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Hi thanks for responding. Medically - I'm quite stable - EF is now 50% 8 weeks post MI and am doing 10 METS on stress test @ 6 weeks post event. I have never had any ongoing arrhythmia or syncope - but have dropped twice in 11 years. My family is extremely supportive - my children who are now 17 and 14 are not keen on the ICD given the normal life of the 11 years. See my cardiologist in a week and may seek out the specialist for ICD I saw 11 years ago. It's always great to hear from survivors! Thank you
- By DrD11
- Posted September 29, 2008 at 4:14 am
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Can stress cause S.C.A.?
Yes
Common sense and History,support this statement.
In response to stress,tachycrdia developes.Adrenalin
is released in higher quantities.Arrythmias,now can develope.The nervous system that activates the heart as a pump is now getting overloaded.
What to do? Cut on stress.
First and foremost:Diet and exercise.Lifestyle modification.
Be carefull in selecting medications,as some of it can
cause arrythmias.Remember:Food is "Medication" too.
- By Phud
- Posted October 21, 2008 at 10:36 pm
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I've been off the site awhile, but had to respond to this one. I'm sure stress can trigger it, although it depends how "honest" one can be with oneself. They never did come up with a cause of mine (Feb 07) but I have my own suspicions. Stress was bad at work (I'm a research scientist and live on grants-plus I had personality issues to deal with in my lab, which is NOT my strong point). The stress had been building, and as a result I needed to go at least 16-18 hours per day to get everything done. So I started upping my coffee - at the time of my SCA, I was up to about 12 cups a day or more of strong stuff. Of course, I was so wired that when I got home from work, I needed something to "slow me down" again so my 1-2 beers or glasses of wine turned into 4 or 5...daily. The night it happened, I had made a nice dinner so had some wine, I'd been sleeping 4-6 hours per night, and had a cold to boot. I'm suspicious that I had an allergic response to the cold medicine I took on top of everything else, but I was an accident waiting to happen.
So this was a bit of a blessing - I still have 3-4 beer every night - dealcoholized. And I have 3 cups of decaf in the morning, and that's it. 18 months later, I'm having a difficult time, since I think I"ve finally got back to that same level of work, and I REALLY miss the buzz of energy I maintained with the caffeine. Yes, I know people will say that it was "disorganized" energy, but I still miss it. However, my wife keeps a pretty tight rein on my intake these days, and evenings are spent helping my kids with their homework, NOT working.
So, after this rather long and drawn out message, watch the stress. I'm sure the stress alone is bad for you, but it's also the associated things we do to ourselves that do it.
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