Urgent need for improved blood pressure management in cardiology patients

University of Sydney researcher Professor Clara Chow and her team have found more than one in three Australians with atrial fibrillation (AFib) and hypertension have poorly controlled blood pressure, significantly increasing their risk of stroke.

The study, which analysed electronic medical record data from 34,000 Australians with AFib and hypertension, highlights the need for improved blood pressure control in this high stoke-risk population.

Atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm disorder, affects over 500,000 Australians and a staggering 33 million individuals worldwide.

People with AFib are four times more likely to experience a stroke, making effective blood pressure control essential for reducing this risk.

However, the study’s findings shed light on a concerning trend, with a significant portion of AFib patients having poorly controlled blood pressure.

“Both hypertension and atrial fibrillation are leading causes of stroke globally and each year, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke, resulting in five million deaths and five million permanent disabilities,” said Professor Chow, Academic Director Westmead Applied Research Centre.

“Our study reveals that more than one in three Australians with AFib and hypertension have poorly controlled blood pressure, putting them at an increased risk of stroke.”

The study also identified specific risk factors associated with poorly controlled blood pressure in this population whereby women and individuals over the age of 75 were found to be at the highest risk.

Researchers believe the study emphasises the importance of regular blood pressure checks.

“Our findings show that people are more likely to have their blood pressure controlled and receive optimal treatment if they have regular visits and visit the same doctor each time,” said University of Sydney PhD candidate Ritu Trivedi, a lead researcher on the paper.

“Continuity of care with your doctor seems to play a crucial role in managing blood pressure effectively.”

Addressing these modifiable gaps in blood pressure control could potentially reduce the risk of stroke for hundreds of thousands of Australians.

“Raising awareness about heart disease not being just a man’s problem and encouraging women to get regular blood pressure checks is crucial,” said Trivedi.

“The key recommendation here is that we need to manage blood pressure better in people at the highest risk of stroke and this can then significantly reduce their chances of experiencing a stroke,” said Professor Chow.