As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can explain how atrial fibrillation (AFib) can impact blood pressure. Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat. In a normal heart rhythm, the atria (the upper chambers of the heart) contract and relax in a coordinated manner, allowing them to pump blood effectively into the ventricles (the lower chambers). However, in AFib, the atria quiver instead of contracting, which can lead to several effects on blood pressure: 1. Reduced Cardiac Output: The atrial kick, which is the forceful contraction of the atria that helps to push blood into the ventricles, is lost. This can result in a reduced amount of blood being pumped out of the heart with each beat, leading to lower blood pressure. 2. Irregular Heart Rate: AFib is characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate. If the heart rate is too fast, it may not have enough time to fill with blood between beats, which can also decrease the cardiac output and subsequently lower the blood pressure. 3. Blood Pooling: The irregular contractions can also lead to blood pooling in the atria, which increases the risk of blood clots. While this doesn't directly affect blood pressure, it is a significant health concern that can lead to strokes. 4. Ventricular Response Rate: In some cases, the ventricles may respond to the rapid atrial signals by beating too quickly (a high ventricular response rate), which can also affect the time available for the ventricles to fill with blood, potentially leading to a drop in blood pressure. 5. Compensatory Mechanisms: The body may respond to the lower cardiac output by activating mechanisms to raise blood pressure, such as increasing the heart rate or constricting blood vessels. It's important to note that the effect of AFib on blood pressure can vary from person to person. Some individuals may experience a significant drop in blood pressure, while others may not notice much of a change or may even have higher blood pressure due to the body's compensatory responses. read more >>

Over time, afib can cause the heart to weaken and malfunction. The heart's ineffective contractions cause blood to pool in the atria. This can increase the risk of clotting. As a result, you may experience shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and chest pain.read more >>