HYPERTENSION AND ATRIAL FIBRILLATION, WHAT CONNECTS THEM

Abstract

Hypertension (arterial hypertension) is a chronic disease, the key manifestation of which is persistent high blood pressure (BP). It occurs due to dysregulation of vascular tone, changes in the functioning of the heart and kidneys. Hypertension leads to functional and organic damage to the most important organs - the heart, kidneys and central nervous system. Up to 20% of all people experience high blood pressure. With age, the frequency of hypertension increases and is most often detected in patients after 40 years of age, but it happens that an increase in blood pressure is also observed in adolescents. Arterial hypertension (AH) causes the development of vascular atherosclerosis and often leads to life-threatening complications. The combination of these two diseases is one of the most common causes of death in people. Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by frequent (from 350 to 700 beats per minute), chaotic excitation and contraction of atrial muscle fibers. This creates a “shimmering” effect in the heart tissue. With this type of heart rhythm disturbance, the ventricles contract less frequently than the atria due to the inhibition of the flow of irregular impulses in the conduction system of the heart.