[Onset of atrial fibrillation and hypertensive treatment]

The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increased in patients with hypertension and high blood pressure is a well-known risk factor for AF. The target of hypertensive therapy is to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events. Since AF is associated with increased risks of death, heart failure and stroke, it is desirable if hypertensive therapy is able to reduce the onset of AF. In patients with hypertension or heart failure, anti-hypertensive drug is expected to reduce the onset of AF because of regression of left ventricular hypertrophy or preventing left ventricular remodeling. However, in patients with AF, anti-hypertensive drugs including angiotensin receptor blocker could not reduce the recurrence of AF and cardiovascular events. These results indicated that tight control of blood pressure might be useful for preventing the new-onset of AF in hypertensive patients.