Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertension: Patients' Characteristics.

BACKGROUND

The most common risk factor for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) development is hypertension.

PURPOSE

to explore patients' characteristics associated with AF caused by hypertension.

METHODS

The sample of the study included 170 patients with AF caused by hypertension. Data collection was performed by the method of interview using a questionnaire developed by the researchers of the study for the collection of demographic, clinical and other patients' characteristics.

RESULTS

Regarding type of AF, 21.9% of the patients had paroxysmal AF while 64.5% and 13.6% had persistent and permanent AF, respectively. Patients who had persistent AF were receiving anticoagulants and antiarrhythmics at a higher percentage (88.8% and 82.2%,respectively) than patients with paroxysmal (69.4% and 72.2%, respectively) or permanent AF (69.6% and 56.5%, respectively). Patients with persistent AF had at a lower percentage their blood pressure controlled than patients with paroxysmal or permanent AF (85.3% vs. 97.3% and 95.7%, respectively). Patients with permanent AF had at a higher percentage >5 years onset of their heart problem (47.8%) than patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF (10.8% and 8.3%, respectively). Patients with permanent AF had at a higher percentage previous hospitalization due to AF (69.6%) than patients with paroxysmal (40.5%) or persistent AF (62%). Lastly, patients with persistent AF were very informed about the state of their health at a higher percentage (33%) compared patients with paroxysmal or permanent AF (13.5% and 26,1%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed patients' characteristics that may be helpful when planning nursing interventions or guiding clinical decision-making.