Controlling high blood pressure lowers risk of atrial fibrillation

Controlling high blood pressure rigorously can help lower the risk of AF, the most common heart rhythm disorder. — AFP

New American research has found that intensively lowering blood pressure could reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular heartbeat also known as a heart flutter.

Carried out by scientists at Wake Forest School of Medicine, the new study looked at data from a study called the National Institutes of Health Systolic Blood Pressure (SPRINT) trial, which looked at individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure) and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.