Cardiac arrhythmias in arterial hypertension

Patients with arterial hypertension frequently manifest various cardiac rhythm disturbances, ranging from bradyarrhythmias to supraventricular premature beats, atrial fibrillation, or other supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. These cardiac arrhythmias may either cause symptoms or be completely asymptomatic, depending on the underlying cardiac function. Degenerative electrical disease and left ventricular hypertrophy constitute the principal pathophysiological mechanisms. This review summarizes all important existing evidence on cardiac arrhythmia manifestation in the setting of arterial hypertension, and it highlights known underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic considerations.