Abstract 15258: An Unobvious Benefit of the Coexistence of Arterial Hypertension and Atrial Fibrillation - Results of Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study From Central and Eastern Europe

Introduction:Poland represents the region of Central and Eastern Europe with high cardiovascular risk and a rapidly aging population with an ever-increasing prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Our study describes the epidemiology of these conditions and factors associated with AF in the elderly.Methods:In a representative sample of 3014 Poles aged 65 years and over (mean age 77.5 years old, 49.1% women) questionnaire data, blood pressure measurements and blood samples were taken. Hypertension was defined as mean SBP ≥140mmHg or DBP ≥90mmHg or treatment of hypertension. Each patient was screened for AF by continuous ECG monitoring for up to 30 days using a validated ECG vest.Results:Overall prevalence of AH was 80.9% and overall prevalence of AF was 19.2%. Both conditions coexisted in 16.7% of participants and AF with no AH was observed in only 2.5% of participants. Hypertension was significantly more common in patients with AF than in these without AF (87.1% vs 79.4%, p<0.05). Mean systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were significantly lower in the AF population (139.7 mmHg vs 142.6 mmHg, p<0.05, 61.3 mmHg vs 63.9 mmHg, p<0.05 respectively). In hypertensive patients the AF was more often paroxysmal than persistent/permanent (11.9% vs 8.8%, p<0.05), but the episodes of paroxysmal AF lasted longer than in patients without AH (14.9 hours vs 7.6 hours in men, p<0.05; 11.2 hours vs 3.5 hours in women, p<0.05). Participants with coexisting AF and AH were more often aware of both AF (79.9% vs 69.2%, p<0.05) and AH (88.9% vs 84.1%, p<0.05). Significant factors associated with AF occurrence in hypertensive patients were heart failure (OR 2.91), male gender (OR 1.94), elevated NT-proBNP level (OR 1.73), diabetes (OR 1.44), hyperthyroidism (OR 1.44), obesity (OR 1.34), chronic kidney disease (OR 1.32), ischemic heart disease (OR 1.31) and age (OR 1.04).Conclusions:Hypertension and atrial fibrillation are widespread in the elderly population and coexist in one in six people aged 65 years and older. This coexistence is associated with better blood pressure control and disease awareness.