Hypertension
Also known as high blood pressure, hypertension happens when the pressure in the arteries is above what is considered to be a normal range. Blood pressure is a measurement of the force the blood exerts on the arterial walls. There are many factors that can contribute to hypertension.
As a measurement, blood pressure is expressed as two numbers, for example 130/80. The top number represents the systolic blood pressure, aka the pressure exerted when the heart contracts; while the bottom number represents the diastolic pressure, aka the pressure when the heart relaxes.
High blood pressure contributes to the onset of atrial fibrillation via atrial enlargement and remodeling. A normal blood pressure is 120/80. Blood pressure is considered to be high when it is above 140/90 in people younger than 60-years old, and above 150/90 in people aged 60 years and over.
