Increased detection of suspected atrial fibrillation in elderly and female hypertensive patients through home blood pressure monitoring: the HOME-AF study

BACKGROUND Episodes of suspected atrial fibrillation are particularly frequent in essential hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of new suspected atrial fibrillation cases detected through home blood pressure (BP) screening among hypertensive patients. Association of new suspected atrial fibrillation cases with arterial hypertension (AH) phenotypes and the CHA2DS2-VASc score was also investigated. METHODS The prospective study recruited hypertensive patients at least 50 years old from private and hospital hypertensive clinics. An ECG was performed during the first visit. Microlife BP A6 PC was used to measure office and home BP for at least 3 and preferably 7 consecutive days. RESULTS A total of 2408 AH patients were recruited. Suspected atrial fibrillation was detected by BP monitor in 12.5% of patients. CHA2DS2-VASc was greater in hypertensive patients with suspected atrial fibrillation detection, as compared with all other hypertensive patients (3.3 ± 1.4 vs. 2.8 ± 1.4, P