RISK STRATIFICATION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PROGRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION AND THE WAYS OF SECONDARY PREVENTION

Progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) is a process of steady development of arrhythmia from short paroxysms to the permanent form. Arterial hypertension (AH) is the most common cause of AF. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of possible predictors of AF progression in hypertensive patients. The role of general risk factors in the maintenance of arrhythmia, the significance of high blood pressure and its individual characteristics in the progression of AF are analyzed. Echocardiographic predictors of arrhythmia recurrence and the transition of AF to a permanent form in hypertension are described. Various existing scales for assessing the risk of AF progression are presented. The ways of secondary prevention of arrhythmia in AH are considered.