Blood Pressure

[Andy-f]

Hi,

When AFIB is diagnosed and time passes by, is high blood pressure part of the symptoms or is it something totally different

Thanks

[Hidden]

I’m not medically trained Andy but as I understand it, AF does not necessarily impact on blood pressure directly but because it can increase anxiety etc it may well increase. Using home monitors, it’s almost impossible to measure blood pressure when in AF which doesn’t help either.

[BobD Volunteer]

Whilst high blood pressure may cause AF (due to stretching of the atria) and AF may result in blood pressure changes the two are not inexorably linked.

One must also understand that home BP machines are notoriously inaccurate if one has AF..

[CDreamer]

Interesting question and as usual - no simple answer. I would say it’s a factor but neither part of it nor a symptom.

Dr Gupta of York Medical has a good few videos on YouTube and on his FB page and his website explaining the role of BP in AF.

I’m sure others far more knowledgable will chip in but this is my understanding as very low BP has been my lifelong issue - which becomes dangerously low for me when in AF.

Uncontrolled high BP is a factor for developing AF but more seriously stroke so if you have both your risk of stroke increases.

When in AF it’s almost impossible to measure your BP accurately with home monitors - better with old mercury and stethoscope or take 3 readings simultaneously and take the average of all 3 as representative because in AF you will get spikes and lows you wouldn’t normally get when in NSR.

When you are in AF permanently then it’s important to control and stabilise BP as much as possible.

Important factors for BP are:- staying very well hydrated - which most of us don’t, most of the time.

Manage stress so you can lower your BP with good breath control - getting excited or angry or worrying will always raise your BP.

Keep electrolytes stable - eat foods that help and consider supplements but know that Magnesium can intensify the affect of BP meds for some people.

[Singwell in reply to CDreamer]

Didn't know that re magnesium. However my BP mostly good at present

[CDreamer in reply to Singwell]

Just need to watch it if you have a tendency toward low BP as Magnesium will lower BP so the combined affect of Beta-Blockers + Magnesium can be overkill for some.

[Singwell in reply to CDreamer]

Ah. I'm on Diltiazem so probably OK though I did have one horrible BP hypo in December 2020 that sent me to A and E. I keep electrolytes and coconut water in the house now. None since. Instant miso soup also useful for salt replacement if needed.

[beach_bum in reply to Singwell]

Ya, Diltiazem here as well, and was prescribed as I also had high...not terribly high BP...and being diet and exercise were ruled out, it was considered prudent to take the 2 in 1 drug.

[Andy-f]

HiThanks for the reply’s

I do suffer from high blood pressure unfortunately

Reading the above it’s more than likely to be from poor diet than Afib

Thanks

Andy

[Singwell in reply to Andy-f]

You can totally fix that one and likely to help the AF too. Go for it. More plants, less processed foods, leaner meat and fish. You can still eat well.

[Singwell]

As Bob says, not necessarily linked but often are. Historically I had low BP then gradually it crept up by stealth and then I developed AF. I now take meds for BP and AF. Lifestyle changes have significantly improved BP readings though how I'd be without the meds is another matter. Learning to be calmer, or get into a calm state when needed, reducing alcohol and addressing weight issues also help with BP. My personal secret weapon - 30 mins brisk walk every day.

[Andy-f]

Thanks