The Link Between High Blood Pressure and AFib

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure. It’s a common condition that affects nearly half of adults in the US. Hypertension develops when blood flows through the arteries with too much force, putting extra strain on the heart and its blood vessels.

When blood pressure is high for too long, it can damage the walls of the blood vessels, causing them to develop tiny tears. To fix these tiny tears, the body sends special cells that stick to them. Over time, plaque can develop because of cholesterol and fats that build up at these damaged spots. When plaque develops, blood vessels narrow and can block the flow of blood, further increasing blood pressure.

How does Hypertension Impact Your Heart?

Hypertension causes a “fight or flight” activation in the nervous system, which can lead to systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and kidney damage.

Untreated hypertension can also make structural changes to the heart muscle, including:

Left ventricular hypertrophy – when the left ventricle must work harder to overcome high pressure in the arteries

Diastolic dysfunction – diastole is the phase of the heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes so the heart can fill back up with blood. Diastolic dysfunction is when the heart does not relax normally due to high blood pressure.

Atrial stretch and fibrosis – when the heart is stressed and working harder than normal, the upper chambers (atria) can begin to stretch and enlarge. Hypertension can compound this problem by causing increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic nervous system activation. 

The Connection Between Hypertension and Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

In addition to structurally changing the heart, the strain and impact chronic high blood pressure places on the cardiovascular system can impact the electrical rhythm in the heart, which can trigger and sustain AFib. Managing cardiovascular problems like hypertension can become more difficult if AFib develops.

Studies show that people with hypertension are up to 2x as likely to develop AFib compared to non-hypertensive adults. However, AFib itself is an irregular heartbeat caused by abnormal signals in the atria, which can occur independently of blood pressure levels. This means that while hypertension increases the likelihood of developing AFib, it is not a prerequisite.

What is AFib?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm that begins in your heart’s upper chambers (atria). Symptoms include fatigue, heart palpitations, trouble breathing and dizziness. Risk factors include high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and obesity.

If you think you have AFib symptoms – or your OMRON device detects AFib – it’s important to call your healthcare provider right away to discuss how you’re feeling.

Which OMRON Blood Pressure Monitor is Right for Me?

In 2025, OMRON released four new home blood pressure monitors with Advanced AFib Screening Technology. These monitors automatically screen for AFib during every routine blood pressure reading. Each monitor syncs with the OMRON connect app, which can store your readings to share with your doctor.

Already Diagnosed with AFib?

If you’ve already been diagnosed with AFib by a medical professional, your doctor may recommend an at-home blood pressure monitor beyond standard AFib detection.

OMRON Complete™ combines your blood pressure readings + single-lead EKG to give you a fuller picture of your heart health at home. Track two key stroke risk factors in one simple device and know when it’s time to take action. Powered by AliveCor technology. Easy to use. Connected via the OMRON app for unlimited tracking.

Always talk with your doctor about what’s right for you and your health.

Advancing AFib Research Through an At-Home Study

OMRON is also helping advance research into earlier AFib detection through a new at-home clinical study focused on people with hypertension. In collaboration with researchers at UCSF, the study is evaluating how home blood pressure monitoring may help identify AFib earlier in people at higher risk.

Participants in the study use at-home monitoring technology to better understand how AFib develops and how it can be detected sooner. The goal is to improve screening methods, expand access to early detection, and help connect more people to treatment before serious complications occur.

This research supports OMRON’s mission to make heart health monitoring easier, more accessible, and more proactive for people managing hypertension and other cardiovascular risks.

If you are 60 years or older and have high blood pressure, you may be eligible to participate in the study. Learn more here.