Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the upper two cavities of the heart (the atria). AF often occurs in individuals with high blood pressure. It is the most common serious cardiac rhythm disorder and significantly increases a person’s risk for heart failure and stroke. Management of AF currently focuses primarily on preventing such complications, rather than curing the disease.

Alexey Glukhov, PhD, assistant professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, has been awarded $100,000 over two years by the Wisconsin Partnership Program's New Investigator Program for a proposal entitled, "Mechano-Electrical Feedback in Pathophysiology of Atrial Fibrillation: Novel Strategy for Antiarrhythmic Therapy." 

The research study is aimed at understanding atrial fibrillation in patients with high blood pressure. 

Greater understanding of how AF occurs in people with hypertension is needed in order to develop new therapies, reduce treatment costs, and ultimately decrease the number of people affected by AF.

Resources:

• "New awards support innovative approaches to burn treatment, atrial fibrillation, aging," UW School of Medicine and Public Health - Wisconsin Partnership Program, January 12, 2018