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What Causes Excessive Anger While Having Atrial Fibrillation?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Jan 2017
Question: My 65 year old husband has A-Fib with one artery 100% block and one that is 40% blocked. My question is: Do heart patient have personality changes? My husband becomes almost ballistic when I question him about anything or don't understand what he is asking. He wants to control everything and gets very angry when things do not go his way. Even if they do, he still is not happy.

Is this normal for heart patients? I am considering talking to the cardiologist or his regular doctor to see about medication, but of course, he will fight it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that the changes in his personality or mood, may be related to anxiety and depression.

There is no direct connection between coronary artery disease and those changes.

But, you should know that all chronic patients (suffering from cardiac disorders, or any other chronic disorders including other organs) are more susceptible to mood changes like anxiety and depression.

This is the way they face with their new condition (disease).

Other possible causes that may explain this clinical scenario would be a frontal lobe tumor or a silent stroke.

That is why, I would recommend performing a brain MRI or CT scan study before concluding that it is just depression or anxiety.

If a brain lesion is excluded (by MRI or CT scan), you should consult with a psychiatrist to help him manage these mood changes. An antidepressant may be needed.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9536 Questions

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What Causes Excessive Anger While Having Atrial Fibrillation?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would explain that the changes in his personality or mood, may be related to anxiety and depression. There is no direct connection between coronary artery disease and those changes. But, you should know that all chronic patients (suffering from cardiac disorders, or any other chronic disorders including other organs) are more susceptible to mood changes like anxiety and depression. This is the way they face with their new condition (disease). Other possible causes that may explain this clinical scenario would be a frontal lobe tumor or a silent stroke. That is why, I would recommend performing a brain MRI or CT scan study before concluding that it is just depression or anxiety. If a brain lesion is excluded (by MRI or CT scan), you should consult with a psychiatrist to help him manage these mood changes. An antidepressant may be needed. You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues. Hope you will find this answer helpful! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri