Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Impact of blood pressure on the risk of stroke and all-cause mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation across different age groups: A nationwide population-based study
- nationwide population-based study
Authors' conclusion
High BP was associated with higher risks of stroke and mortality in AF patients, especially in younger individuals. Conversely, excessively low BP was linked to higher mortality, highlighting the importance of balanced BP control in patients with AF.
Study context
- Population
- Patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) between 2009 and 2016, with national health screening datapatients newly diagnosed with AF
- Participants
- 338,747 patients
- Exposure
- Blood pressure (BP) categories according to the 2023 European hypertension guidelines, across 4 age groups (40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥70 years)
- Outcome
- Ischemic stroke
- Follow-up
- Median 6.0 years (interquartile range, 4.0-8.6)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
patients experienced a stroke
39,329
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
All-cause death (secondary outcome) · median follow-up of 6.0 years (interquartile range, 4.0-8.6)
- died
- 104,712
- Grade ≥2 hypertension was consistently linked to higher mortality across all age groups, whereas normal BP was associated with the lowest mortality rates
- Extremely low BP was also related to a higher risk of mortality
Original publication
Impact of blood pressure on the risk of stroke and all-cause mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation across different age groups: A nationwide population-based study. Heart Rhythm. Published 24 March 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.03.1917
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it