Arrhythmias and high blood pressure

General

A high blood pressure (arterial hypertension) is often underestimated as it usually does not cause any symptoms at the beginning. However, patients with high blood pressure that is not or inadequately treated have a increased riskthat lead to the increased blood pressure Cardiac arrhythmia added. High blood pressure and arrhythmias are therefore a widespread and risky combination.

In addition to a reduction in the quality of life due to cardiac arrhythmias, these also increase the occurrence of further illnesses and also the risk of death in the event that no therapeutic steps are initiated. The arrhythmias are due to structural changes in the heart, such as tissue enlargement in the left ventricle (left ventricular hypertrophy), which develop slowly in the presence of untreated high blood pressure.

Blood pressure measurement in the case of an arrhythmia

In the presence of high blood pressure, the blood pressure must regularly by Own measurements and through Measurements in the medical practice to be controlled. In the diagnostic phase of high blood pressure, the measurement should be taken three times a day. If the diagnosis is established, a measurement once a day is sufficient. Did you already know that you are suffering from high blood pressure Cardiac arrhythmias should suffer control of blood pressure usually in a medical practice respectively. Most Blood pressure monitors measure blood pressure oscillometric. With this type of measurement, however, errors can occur in the event of a cardiac arrhythmia, which is why the stethoscopic measurement is preferable in medical practice. In some cases, despite everything, the blood pressure can be determined by self-measurement - in this case, however, the measurement should be made several times at an interval of one minute and then the Average of the measured values ​​are formed.

Therapy for an arrhythmia and high blood pressure

In the context of high blood pressure, a cardiac arrhythmia requires special consideration, as it can lead to further complications, such as a stroke, can worry. The most important thing is that Lowering blood pressure, because with this measure structural changes in the heart can be stopped and the risk of a cardiac arrhythmia can be reduced. If a medical therapy is initiated to lower blood pressure, recent studies have shown that the Blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is particularly effective. Drugs that are blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system ACE inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor blockers.
Some important active ingredients from the group of ACE inhibitors are:

• Captopril
• Enalapril
• Lisinopril and
• Ramipril

To the Angiotensin receptor blockers one counts for example:

• Azilsartan
• Candesartan
• Losartan
• Olmesartan
• Valsartan

If high blood pressure and a cardiac arrhythmia are present at the same time, this does not necessarily mean that the cardiac arrhythmia is also specifically associated with a antiarrhythmic therapy must be treated, because this therapy, paradoxically, harbors that risk for further Cardiac arrhythmias. Antiarrhythmic therapy is only reserved for special cases.

High blood pressure and atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder. In many cases, existing high blood pressure is the cause of attack-like atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation). If there is high blood pressure, men have a 1.5-fold increased risk and women a 1.4-fold increased risk of developing this arrhythmia. It is estimated that 25-50% of people with high blood pressure also have atrial fibrillation. The atrial fibrillation, which occurs like a seizure at the beginning, can develop into permanent atrial fibrillation with increasing duration. The symptoms of atrial fibrillation vary greatly from person to person. Some sufferers do not feel any discomfort, others in turn complain of pronounced "heart stumbling", a feeling of weakness or shortness of breath.

You might also be interested in the topic: Causes of atrial fibrillation

High blood pressure and ventricular arrhythmias

Also various cardiac arrhythmias that differ from the Chambers of the heart derive (ventricular arrhythmias), are more common with high blood pressure. That is to be traced back ventricular arrhythmia, for example on a Tissue enlargement of the heart muscle the left ventricle (left ventricular hypertrophy), which develops gradually due to the increased stress on the heart in high blood pressure. In addition to favoring ventricular arrhythmias, this is the case Tissue enlargement in combination with a high blood pressure also a risk factor sudden cardiac death to suffer. Ventricular arrhythmias can also make you feel like "Palpitations“Convey or to complaints like Shortness of breath, dizziness and unconsciousness to lead.

Conclusion

Regular checks of high blood pressure by self-measurement, but also by the doctor and appropriate therapy with ACE inhibitors or angiotension receptor blockers, the cardiac arrhythmias associated with a risk can be averted. In addition, complications of cardiac arrhythmias, such as a stroke or sudden cardiac death, are prevented.