Scientists find connection between burnout and atrial fibrillation

Burnout can lead to atrial fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart rhythm disorder, said researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Burnout is a condition that is accompanied by mental exhaustion, pathological fatigue, and irritability. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder that can lead to strokes. Over 33 million people worldwide suffer from it. According to a study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, chronic stress and overwork can be key factors in the development of this condition.

This is not the first time that the relationship between burnout and atrial fibrillation has been spoken about - previous studies have also shown it, but the results have been mixed.

In a new study, scientists interviewed over 11,000 people without atrial fibrillation to determine if they have vital exhaustion and irritability, whether they use antidepressants, or if they have good social support. Scientists then observed the study participants for 25 years.

Scientists did not find a connection between atrial fibrillation and irritability, the level of social support or the use of antidepressants. But the people who scored the most points in testing for life exhaustion turned out to be more vulnerable: the risk of developing atrial fibrillation increased by 20%.

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