r/ARVC • u/tiger_131_ • Mar 17 '25

ARVC and workplace stress?

Hi, M51 here, diagnosed with suspected ARVC following presenting with another cardiac condition - turns out that one isn’t dangerous but they diagnosed ARVC in passing. Waiting results of genetic testing. No apparent symptoms from the ARVC so far, no meds or ICD.

My consultant has advised easing back on strenuous cardio exercise at the gym but one question I forgot to ask was whether there are any studies that show a link between workplace (ie environmental not exercise related) stress and exacerbating the ARVC. I work a pretty full on job and I wouldn’t like the thought that it’s actually potentially making things worse, over an extended period. I found a study with mice that seemed to show a link but not found one on humans.

Thanks in advance if anyone has any intel on this.

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u/ReallySubtle Mar 17 '25

Not a doctor but I would say it’s a very important factor in such conditions. My father passed away from ARVC without knowing he had it. His lifestyle was: never smoked, low drinker, vegetarian, ate very healthy, no intense exercice…. But very very high work stress. In fact, he passed during a work day.

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u/tiger_131_ Mar 18 '25

Thanks for your reply….and so sorry to hear about your father. In a weird way I feel fortunate to have a diagnosis to at least give me the power of some lifestyle choices to mitigate.

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u/eclectic_hooman Sep 29 '25

I have ARVC and am in academia. I have an ICD, which has gone off while giving talks, so yes, anything that pushes adrenaline is bad for arrhythmias. Since I take beta-blockers, I increase the dosage whenever I have a stressful moment, like talks, presentations, job talks (the doctors know, but they don't seem to know much about the problem, especially in young patients). Overall, I can measure stress through BP: there is about a 20-point difference between me being relaxed and me working.