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Common Heart Conditions Could Be Deadly Time Bombs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 50% of U.S. adults suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension, with 20% of them unaware of their condition. While atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm, affects a smaller percentage of the population—around 5%—health experts are now warning that having both hypertension and AFib can significantly increase health risks, creating what is described as a “ticking time bomb.”

Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it typically shows no symptoms, leaving many individuals unaware of their condition. It occurs when blood exerts too much force on the artery walls, which can eventually lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular issues. Atrial fibrillation, on the other hand, is characterized by chaotic and irregular beating of the heart’s upper chambers, which disrupts the rhythm and may lead to symptoms like rapid heartbeats, shortness of breath, or dizziness. AFib increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.

A new review published in the Circulation journal by the American Heart Association (AHA) highlights the strong connection between hypertension and AFib, noting that high blood pressure is the primary modifiable risk factor for developing AFib, present in about 70% of AFib cases. Research has shown that high blood pressure increases the risk of developing AFib by 1.8 times and the likelihood of it progressing to permanent AFib by 1.5 times. Experts emphasize that screening for both conditions could help prevent strokes and other complications.

Despite the importance of detecting both conditions, routine health screenings typically focus on blood pressure, while AFib screenings are not as common. According to Dr. Teemu Niiranen, a leading expert on hypertension, the combination of hypertension and AFib heightens the risk of stroke and may also be linked to dementia. Early detection through a simple pulse check or an automatic irregular heartbeat alert on a blood pressure monitor could significantly reduce the chances of severe health consequences. Niiranen and other experts recommend integrating AFib screenings into regular blood pressure checks to identify at-risk individuals earlier and start timely treatments.

Three methods for detecting AFib have been suggested: a brief pulse check at the wrist or neck to detect an irregular heartbeat, blood pressure monitors that include irregular heartbeat alerts, and portable ECG monitors or smartwatches that can identify AFib in under a minute.