Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects approximately 25% of the Canadian population. Patients with hypertension are at greatly increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, which is a very common, yet serious, type of irregular heart beat that originates in the upper chambers of the heart. When atrial fibrillation occurs in conjunction with hypertension, patients are at increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and death. However, we know very little about the how cardiovascular diseases (including hypertension) change the structure and electrical function of the heart and how these changes lead to atrial fibrillation. Using a pre-clinical mouse model of chronic hypertension, we have discovered that electrical function in the right and left atria respond is altered in distinct ways. These changes in electrical function make the heart more susceptible to developing atrial fibrillation. In addition, we have investigated the role of a family of protective hormones, called natriuretic peptides, in modulating cardiac disease progression in hypertensive mice. Natriuretic peptides function by binding to natriuretic peptide receptors, which are proteins that control the effects of these hormones. In this study, we have discovered chronic activation of one specific natriuretic peptide receptor, called NPR-C, can attenuate disease progression and reduce the susceptibility to atrial fibrillation in hypertensive mice. As such, we have identified a possible new therapeutic target for the treatment and management of hypertension and atrial fibrillation.