Is there a relationship between AFib and high blood pressure

[carer999]

When in AFib can it raise your blood pressure or can high blood pressure trigger AFib.

In April/May last year I was I told I had possible AFib after starting palpitations which didn't abate and subsequent 24hr ECG and Echocardigram . Also had a raise BNP. I was perscribed bisoprol by my GP but it didn't agree with me so I stopped it.

For the last 5 days the palpitations have returned with avengence, having been very quite for most of last year. My blood pressure monitor is showing AF for some readings and my blood pressure is varible and often in the high 130's, low 140's. When I last took my blood pressure in early December it was normal.

I only started taking my blood pressure when the palpitations started so I don't which started first. Just wondering if there was a connection. I am just hoping palpitations/AF will pass but I am getting concerned.

I have been unwell and tired since mid December and thought it was just a virus I couldn't shake off.

Can any tell me if they have noticed is a link between the two or is it just coincidence and nothing to worry about and when one resolves so will the other.

[Hidden]

The first thing to say is that I’m not medically trained but as you’ve been a member since 2012, you probably know that all ready 😉 Not sure about which causes what or what causes which, but I pretty sure there is a connection between AF and high blood pressure and I’m sure others will expand on that. I expect you also know that it’s almost impossible for folk in AF to get accurate BP readings using home monitors so it’s a bit difficult to answer your question. Bisoprolol is very good at reducing BP so maybe you should consider alternative beta blockers or calcium channel blockers instead. I googled BNP and that came up with Brain natriuretic peptide which seems to be connected with heart failure so perhaps you should go back to your medics. Is your Doctor aware that you have stopped taking Bisoprolol……..l.l

[carer999 in reply to Hidden]

Hidden Yes I told him. My resting pulse was 40 and I had bad headache and was very tired and I could not function even on the lowest dose.

[Suesouth in reply to carer999]

Hi, I have had high blood pressure for a few years now, take candesartan! When AFib started last April, I was told hbp was a trigger for AFib! Waiting for a CTCA scan, should be soon asi had my bloods done in preparation on Monday!

[pusillanimous in reply to Hidden]

I find the connection between Afib and BP fascinating, I was being treated for mild hypertension when I was diagnosed with Afib, I was hospitalised by the Cardio for the weekend for observation (I did not have my BP meds with me) - he just treated me with oral Biso and said that I did not need the BP meds anymore as the Biso was controlling it. Within weeks of discontinuing my BP meds and relying on the Biso, my BP shot up to the highest it had ever been -my GP phoned the Cardio and my BP meds were reinstated and BP came down, so I was taking 10mg Lisinopril and 120mg Verapamil and 2.5mg Biso. It seemed OK for a while. Now, 4 years after diagnosis, I am still on the BP med and 1.25mg Biso a day if required. I do not have meny symptoms, but if I feel that strange feeling in my tummy and an increase in HR, I take the Biso and my BP plummets to something like 88/55. I do not feel dizzy or faint - it's just that it's below the lower parameter of 90/60. and I wonder if this should be revised - I read a paper from one university where they had revised the upper limit of normality to 115/75, and anything over that is pre-hypertensive or hypertensive. It's hard to know what to think !!!!

[Hidden]

A GP told me that AF would often *lower* blood pressure as the heart isn't pumping efficiently.

[BlueINR]

I've had about a dozen episodes of afib, and with each one, heart rate was high and blood pressure low. That became one of my clues to know I was having a fib.

[Cally53]

I don't have high blood pressure - thankfully. I still have AF though! 😒

[Buffafly]

High BP and AF do go hand in hand. I have noticed that if I play a computer game where I have to race against time I start to feel little flip flops and have to stop and relax. Since I started taking a higher dose of diltiazem, which lowers blood pressure as well as other effects, I have had fewer and milder episodes of AF. Unfortunately it also slows your heart rate, and a slow heart rate can trigger AF so it has to be used with caution. Never mind your BP, if you are having increased palpitations suddenly you should have a checkup. It is possible your pulse rate is too low - should be around 60 bpm and if it is much lower causes tiredness.

[Beta44]

Prior to ablation 6.5 years ago my blood pressure was high despite high dose of Bisoprolol. Since successful ablation blood pressure is on the low side of normal with no drugs. No idea why. Peter