Simultaneous blood pressure and atrial fibrillation screening in May Measurement Month 2022 and 2023

Abstract Background/Introduction May Measurement Month (MMM) is an annual global blood pressure (BP) screening campaign. Given the strong association between hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF) simultaneous AF and BP screening was conducted in a subset of participating countries. Purpose Here we report AF detection rates and associated risk factors from the joint screening conducted in two campaigns in 2022 and 2023. Methods In 2022 and 2023, adults (≥18 years) were screened opportunistically in 17 countries for BP and AF using a standardised protocol. An administered questionnaire collected information including demographics and comorbidities. Three seated BP measurements were taken with concurrent AF ‘detection’ using OMRON Complete or M7 devices. Of those detected as having AF, ‘known’ AF was defined as having a previous diagnosis of either AF or irregular heartbeat, or taking anticoagulants. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥140 mmHg, and/or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking BP-lowering medication. A CHA2DS2-VA score was calculated for each participant. Results A total of 135,434 participants underwent concurrent screening (mean age: 50.2 years; 56.3% female). Overall, 2,639 (1.9%) had AF detected, of whom 57.9% had known AF and 42.1% were newly diagnosed. AF detection was more common in those ≥60 years (3.3%) than 60 (1.2%), in those with a history of heart failure (11.7%), previous stroke (7.9%), myocardial infarction (7.2%), or diabetes (4.0%) (p0.0001 for all). After age-sex adjustment, AF detection was more common in those with fewer years of education and increased alcohol intake, and of those with and without hypertension, the AF detection rate was 2.7% and 1.6%, respectively (p0.0001). Of participants with ‘known’ AF, 31.3%, 25.2% and 43.6% were taking anticoagulants, aspirin, or either, respectively. Anticoagulant use was reported by 49.5% of those with known AF with a CHA2DS2-VA score-based class 1 indication for anticoagulation. Of those with new AF, 43.6% had a class 1 indication. Conclusions Simultaneous BP and AF screening in MMM 2022 and 2023 detected AF in 1.9% of participants, of whom 42.1% were newly detected. AF detection was more common with increasing age and in those with hypertension or cardiometabolic conditions, highlighting patient groups which may benefit from targeted AF screening.