Hypertension: When Is Blood Pressure Too High? Part 3

Last month, I pointed out a study demonstrating evidence that pre-hypertension (that level of blood pressure that is higher than normal but not yet high enough to warrant medication) increases one's risk for stroke.  Well, in a study published early online, the authors concluded that pre-hypertension also increases one's risk for atrial fibrillation (which as you know, increases one's risk for stroke).  

The authors came to their conclusion by following 2014 healthy Norwegian men for 35yrs.  Over the course of 3 and a half decades, those who had pre-hypertensive blood pressures (systolic 128-139mm Hg or diastolic >80mm Hg) had a 60-80% greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation compared to those w/systolic blood pressure <128mm Hg or diastolic <80mm Hg.  The association remained statistically significant even after taking into account diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The take home message is this:  when it comes to your blood pressure, don't settle for good enough.  While pre-hypertension doesn't mean you need medication, it does imply that you need to be more aggressive in your lifestyle about optimizing nutrition & physical activity in order to naturally lower one's blood pressure and thus atrial fibrillation.  And let's not forget that atrial fibrillation increases one's risk for stroke.  So don't settle.  Go for the best!

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