Takeaway
- Analysis based on a large and comprehensive European population-based cohort found significant association between mean, daytime and night-time systolic (S) ambulatory BP (ABP) and daytime SBP load with risk for incident Afib.
- Interestingly, only borderline association was observed between conventional SBP measured by observer at participants’ homes and Afib risk.
Why this matters
- Afib risk stratification guided by routine ABP monitoring in patients with hypertension could guide treatment decisions.
Study design
- Study evaluated 3956 participants (mean age, 43.1 years) from the Flemish Study on Environment, Genes and Health Outcomes and the European Project on Genes in Hypertension studies.
- 2776 participants underwent complete 24-hour ABP monitoring.
- Percentage BP readings >135 mm Hg defined as daytime SBP load.
- Median follow-up period was 14.0 years.
- Funding: The European Union.
Key results
- Each SD increase in 24-hour, daytime and night-time systolic ABP was associated with 27% (P=.0056), 22% (P=.023) and 20% (P=.029) increased risk of developing Afib, respectively.
- Significant association was observed between risk for Afib and higher 24-hour diastolic ABP (P≤.024).
- Only borderline association was observed between conventional SBP and Afib risk (P=.060).
- Risk for incident Afib was 46% (P=.0094) higher in participants with a daytime SBP load >38%.
Limitations
- Afib diagnosis based on medical records.
References
References
