Relationship between AF and BP

[pusillanimous]

I have often wondered if there is a connection between FA and BP. For example does the BP fall or rise prior to an episode of AF or is it unaffected?. Although I do not suffer too many episodes, I sometimes feel that if I take my BP and it is very low, it is a precursor to an event. I may be totally misguided, but am interested to know the opinions of those better informed than me.

[BenHall1]

Hi,

For me back in Jan 2010, my average BP was around 136/80 ( age 65 ). Did my normal morning BP check and got similar reading. 9 hours later it had plummeted to 76/50 ... next stop A & E and a diagnosis of AF. In A& E my HR was clocked at 156.

I rather suspect its all very individual with many peeps having high BP. These days, properly medicated my BP is around 126/80 with an average HR of around 70 ish and very regular too.

John

[Dollcollector in reply to BenHall1]

I am the same. When l am in a.f. with a high pulse rate , my blood pressure goes down.

[BobD Volunteer]

That is very individual I'm afraid with no real correlation. Add in the inaccuracy of most BP machines in AF.

[Spanl5]

I take my blood pressure each morning before breakfast and have noticed that sometimes if a bit lower than usual I have an episode starting later that day.

[pusillanimous in reply to Spanl5]

Thanks, that is what I have found too!

[FraserB]

With a flutter episode (confirmed by 12 lead ecg and blood pressure cuff in hospital) my blood pressure soared from a normal 120/58 to 160/80. Yet others can have the opposite to me where it plummets low. As BobD said it is very individual.

[Singwell]

Mine tends to ride higher prior to an AF episode. If I'm stressed or anxious, that impacts my BP and then, if I don't pay attention and decompress, I'm more likely to get AF. Luckily I don't suffer much these days.

[Ppiman]

I seem to recall reading that the atrium itself is noticeably affected by long term BP and can vary in size, being slightly enlarged with high BP. When this happens, the cells are stretched and more prone to arrhythmias.

Whether this is relevant to daily changes in BP, I don't know - but it could be. I've seen some evidence that bradycardia can make the heart more prone to ectopic beats, and that these can spark AF.

Steve