Abstract P163: Prevalence And Incidence Of Hypertension In 18-40-year-old Patients Referred For Palpitations With Normal Cardiac Monitor Findings

Abstract

Background: Among referred patients 16% have no known cause for palpitations. Studies show that hypertension (HTN) intricately influences ‘heart rate’ and ‘contractility’, the key components of ‘palpitation’. While prevalence of HTN is 22.4% in 18-39-year-olds, the relationship between palpitations and HTN remains unknown in this age group. Objective: To assess the incidence and prevalence of HTN in 18-40-year-olds referred for palpitations without a known arrhythmic cause. Methods: Data from 130 patients with repeated normal cardiac monitor findings referred for palpitations to an electrophysiology clinic between 1/1/2016, and 12/31/2017, were retrospectively analyzed over a 5-year follow-up period. Results: The study cohort comprised of 94 females, 114 of white race with a mean age of 28 years. A 16% (21/130) prevalence of HTN was noted at initial evaluation. Over a period of 2.2 years additional 56% (73/130) patients were diagnosed with HTN. At the end of study period the prevalence of HTN increased to 72% (93/130) (p<0.0001). Hypertensive patients were obese (BMI: 29 kg/m 2 versus 25 kg/m 2 ; p=0.03), used NSAIDs regularly (81 versus 46; p=0.04), and had a stronger family history of HTN (72 versus 5; p<0.0001). Hypertensive patients exhibited higher systolic (124 mmHg versus 112 mmHg; p<0.0001) and diastolic (80 mmHg versus 72 mmHg; p<0.0001) blood pressures during the study period. Conclusion: Undiagnosed and hence under-treated HTN is common in 18-40-year-old patients without a known arrhythmic cause for palpitations. The possibility of untreated HTN causing palpitations needs further evaluation.