A recent study reveals that approximately 1 in 4 women may experience irregular heart rhythms after menopause, with poor sleep and stressful life events emerging as primary contributing factors. These irregular heart rhythms, known as atrial fibrillation, can lead to severe health complications such as blood clots, strokes, heart failure, and other cardiovascular issues.
Lead study author, Susan X. Zhao, a cardiologist at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California, emphasized the importance of psychosocial factors in understanding the genesis of atrial fibrillation among postmenopausal women. In addition to age and genetic predisposition, poor sleep and negative psychological experiences appear to play a significant role.
Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study analyzed data from over 83,000 questionnaires completed by women aged 50-79. Over approximately a decade of follow-up, the study identified that around 25% (or 23,954 women) developed atrial fibrillation.
The research findings indicated that each additional point on the insomnia scale was associated with a 4% higher likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation. Similarly, for each extra point on the stressful life event scale, there was a 2% higher likelihood of experiencing atrial fibrillation.
Zhao explained, "Atrial fibrillation is linked to hormonal changes resulting from stress and poor sleep, which are part of the broader heart-brain connection seen in many medical conditions. These common pathways likely explain the association between stress, insomnia, and atrial fibrillation."
The researchers acknowledged the complex interplay of stressful life events, poor sleep, and emotional feelings, such as depression and anxiety, in women's lives. It remains challenging to ascertain whether these factors accumulate gradually over time, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation with age.
While chronic stress hasn't consistently been associated with atrial fibrillation, the study's reliance on initial patient questionnaires poses a limitation. Zhao also pointed out that stressful life events, while significant and traumatic, may not have a prolonged impact.
The researchers highlighted the need for further investigation to confirm these associations and explore whether tailored stress-reduction interventions could modify the risk of atrial fibrillation among menopausal women.
