Antihypertensive Treatment With ACE Inhibitors or -Blockers and Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation in a General Hypertensive Population

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia, affecting >2 million Americans,1 and is increasing in incidence over time as the population ages.2,3 Clinical research in AF has generally focused on methods to interrupt AF once it has occurred. Relatively little is known about interventions, including antihypertensive medications, that may prevent or delay AF onset. Given the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with AF, research to prevent it is critical.