A new report from the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration suggests that screening for both high blood pressure (hypertension) and irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation, AF) during routine medical check-ups could help prevent thousands of strokes.
Published in the American Heart Association journal, Circulation, the report highlights the strong link between hypertension and AF - two major risk factors for stroke.
The report's co-author, Professor Gregory Lip, Price-Evans Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, NIHR Senior Investigator and Director of Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool said: "This important report emphasises that hypertension does more than just commonly coexist with AF - it actively contributes to its development. Despite this connection, AF is not routinely screened in the same way as high blood pressure, leaving many cases undiagnosed until serious complications arise. However, a simple pulse check or an irregular heartbeat alert on a blood pressure monitor could mean the difference between early treatment and a life-altering stroke."
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder and a major cause of stroke. People with AF are up to five times more likely to experience a stroke, yet many go undiagnosed because AF often has no symptoms.
Early detection can be lifesaving, as increasing evidence links AF to dementia. Identifying and treating AF sooner can significantly reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular and neurological complications.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is the most common risk factor for AF. AF should be considered a sign of hypertension-related "target organ damage," and when both conditions coexist, their combined cardiovascular risks are even greater.
Doctors and patients can detect AF using:
• Pulse checks - A 30-second test to check for an irregular heartbeat.
• Blood pressure monitors with irregular heartbeat alerts - Many modern devices already include this feature.
• Handheld ECG devices or smartwatches - Small, portable tools that can detect AF in under a minute.
This report underscores the need for a change in routine medical screenings-a simple addition that could prevent countless strokes and improve long-term health outcomes.
The paper, 'Hypertension and Atrial Fibrillation: A Frontier Review From the AF-SCREEN International Collaboration' was published in Circulation (DOI:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.071047)
