The heart is a complex but well- studied organ that keeps our blood oxygenated and our bodies, well, alive. It pumps blood around our lungs and to the rest of our body.
Our heart is intimately tied to how we feel- it influences, and is influenced by, our level of physiological arousal.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common condition in which the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is consistently too high. A reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered hypertension. [1]
*American Heart Association.
Hypertension affects nearly 30% of the population in India. About 33% of urban and 25% of rural Indians are hypertensive. [2] Only about 10% of hypertensive individuals in India are aware of their condition. 25% of rural and 42% of urban Indians know their hypertensive status. [2]
How does hypertension lead to stroke?
Hypertension can cause damage to blood vessels that supply blood to the brain, leading to a stroke. The elevated pressure can thicken and narrow the blood vessels, reducing blood flow and causing the formation of blood clots that can block blood flow to the brain.
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a simple and painless test that records the electrical signals in the heart to detect heart problems and monitor the heart’s health. It is a non-invasive diagnostic test that measures the heartbeat’s electrical activity by various methods.
ECG provides information about the heart’s rhythm, the time intervals of the electrical wave passing through the heart, and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses.
What is ECG ?
Electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a medical test that measures the heart’s electrical activity. It is a non-invasive procedure that involves placing electrodes on the chest, arms, & legs. ECG’s are a safe, non-invasive, & relatively quick way to evaluate heart health.
Why is ECG done?
An ECG can be done for a variety of reasons, such as:
Sinus Rhythm
Sinus rhythm is the heart’s normal beating caused by electrical impulses from the sinus node, which creates an electrical pulse that travels through your heart muscle, causing it to contract or beat. A normal heartbeat is referred to as a normal sinus rhythm (NSR).
Sinus rhythm can sometimes become irregular, referred to as sinus arrhythmia, which is an abnormal heart rhythm. It is characterized by a slight variation in the time between heartbeats, which can be slightly shorter or longer depending on whether a person is breathing in or out.
Symptoms of sinus arrhythmia are usually absent, but some people may experience palpitations or a fluttering sensation in the chest.
Causes of sinus arrhythmia may include changes in breathing patterns, physical activity, and other factors that affect the autonomic nervous system.
Complications of sinus arrhythmia are rare, but in some cases, it may be a sign of an underlying heart condition.[4]
Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular & rapid beating of the heart’s upper chambers. It can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other complications. AFib causes the heart’s upper chambers (atria) to beat rapidly and irregularly, leading to an irregular heartbeat.[5]
Symptoms of AFib include chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness, reduced ability to exercise, shortness of breath, and weakness, but 60% of patients report no subjective symptoms. Even with symptoms, Afib episodes are brief and can end quickly, making it difficult to detect during a routine medical examination.[5]
Causes of AFib include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, use of tobacco and alcohol and some stressful situations.[5]
Complications of AFib. AFib patients’ risk of brain stroke is 5 times higher than normal. Afib leads to serious medical complications and poses high risks of brain stroke and heart failure. One study shows that Afib patients present the risk of brain stroke that is 5 times higher than normal. Early detection and early treatment intervention help decrease the risks.[5]
Bradycardia
Bradycardia is a condition characterized by a slow heart rate, where the resting heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.
Symptoms of bradycardia may include chest pain, confusion or memory problems, dizziness or lightheadedness, easily tiring during physical activity, fatigue, fainting and shortness of breath.
Causes of bradycardia may include problems with the sinoatrial (SA) node, the heart’s natural pacemaker, problems in the conduction pathways of the heart that don’t allow electrical impulses to pass appropriately from the atria to the ventricles, certain medications, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, and ageing.
Complications of bradycardia may include frequent fainting, inability of the heart to pump enough blood (heart failure), and sudden cardiac arrest or sudden death. [6]
Tachycardia
Tachycardia is a condition characterized by a heart rate of over 100 beats per minute.
Symptoms of tachycardia may include chest pain, dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and weakness.
Causes of tachycardia may include fever, anxiety, medications, hyperthyroidism, heart disease, and other medical conditions.
Complications of tachycardia may include an increased risk of developing a blood clot that could cause a stroke or heart attack, especially in people with atrial fibrillation. [7]
Risk of developing AFib
in hypertensive patients.
10-20% of hypertension patients develop Afib, and the risk is three times higher for those over 65.
The clinical study found a 0.93% detection rate of newly diagnosed Afib cases per ECG recording, and the detection rate of hypertension with a comorbidity of Afib was 1.59%, which is three times higher than individuals without comorbidity. This indicates that Afib is more common in patients with lifestyle diseases such as hypertension.
Latest study on the
effectivity of ECG reading
to detect risks of AFib
A study shows that recording ECG at home for two weeks can detect 66% of the risks of Afib. It also reveals that recording for 14 consecutive days has a significantly higher detection rate of Afib and other diseases in Afib-risk patients than 24-hour Holter monitoring.
AFib patients’ risk of brain stroke is 5 times higher
than normal
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) occurs when the heart quivers irregularly due to electrical impulses generated independently of the sinus node. Symptoms include chest tightness, palpitations, difficulty breathing, and dizziness.
High BP is found in 60% of AFib cases. AFib can lead to serious medical complications, including five times increased risk of brain stroke compared to normal. Early detection and intervention can reduce these risks. Early detection and intervention can reduce these risks.
AFib & Cerebro Infarction
(Cardiogenic Cerebral Infarction)
AFib can lead to the formation of blood clots within the atrium. These clots can travel to the brain and block the blood flow to a specific part of the brain, resulting in a type of stroke known as cardiogenic cerebral infarction.
OMRON Healthcare developed OMRON Complete. It is an upper-arm blood pressure monitor with built-in ECG technology to measure blood pressure and ECG simultaneously. Regularly monitoring these vital signs is crucial to identifying and managing asymptomatic conditions like hypertension and abnormal heart rhythms.
Regular monitoring of blood pressure and electrocardiogram is important to detect and manage asymptomatic conditions such as hypertension and abnormal heart rhythms and enable early prevention and intervention
Reference:
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