METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LOWERING BLOOD PRESSURE THROUGH REDUCTION OF VENTRICLE FILLING

摘要

The present specification relates to a method and apparatus for reducing ventricular charge capacity, wherein a stimulator may be used to stimulate a patient's heart to reduce blood pressure or ventricular charge capacity. When the heart is stimulated in a consistent way to lower blood pressure, the cardiovascular system can adapt to the stimulation over time and return to high blood pressure. In one embodiment, the stimulation pattern may be configured inconsistently to reduce the adaptive response of the heart or even prevent the adaptive response. In one embodiment, an electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate the patient's heart, which may cause at least some atrial contractions that occur during the closing of the atrioventricular valve. An electrical stimulator may be used to stimulate the patient's heart to cause at least some atrial contraction to occur while the atrioventricular valve is closed. Such atrial contraction can cause less blood to deposit in the corresponding ventricle than when the atrioventricular valve is open throughout the atrial contraction.