Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia, affecting an estimated 33 million individuals globally, and is a major contributor to ischemic stroke, particularly among hypertensive patients (1,2). The coexistence of hypertension and AF significantly amplifies the risk of thromboembolic complications due to enhanced atrial remodeling and impaired hemodynamics (3). Stroke prevention remains a primary goal in the management of AF, alongside rate or rhythm control strategies.

Beta-blockers (BBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are both utilized for rate control in patients with AF. Beta-blockers reduce heart rate by antagonizing β-adrenergic receptors, thereby limiting sympathetic stimulation (4). Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem and verapamil, exert their effect by inhibiting calcium influx in cardiac nodal tissue, leading to slowed atrioventricular conduction (5). Although both drug classes effectively control ventricular rate, their influence on stroke prevention in hypertensive AF patients remains a subject of ongoing investigation.

Some studies have shown a protective vascular effect of beta-blockers beyond heart rate control, potentially contributing to reduced stroke incidence (6). In contrast, CCBs have demonstrated favorable effects on arterial stiffness and blood pressure variability, which may also reduce cerebrovascular risk (7). However, comparative clinical evidence on the efficacy of these two drug classes in reducing stroke specifically in hypertensive patients with AF is limited and inconclusive.

This study aims to assess and compare the impact of beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers on stroke risk among hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation, thereby guiding optimal pharmacologic strategies for this high-risk population.

Study Design and Population

This was a retrospective, observational cohort study conducted at a tertiary care hospital over a period of 24 months (January 2022 to December 2023). The study included adult patients aged 50 years and above who were diagnosed with both hypertension and non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

Patients were eligible if they had a confirmed diagnosis of atrial fibrillation via electrocardiogram and a history of hypertension under pharmacological management. Exclusion criteria included patients with valvular heart disease, prior history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, use of both beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers simultaneously, and incomplete medical records.

Group Allocation

Eligible patients were divided into two groups based on the primary antihypertensive agent used for rate control.

• Group A (n=120): Patients receiving beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, bisoprolol).
• Group B (n=120): Patients on non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil).

Both groups were followed for a duration of 12 months to assess the incidence of ischemic stroke.

Data Collection

Demographic details, comorbidities, medications, CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores, blood pressure readings, and stroke events were extracted from electronic medical records. Stroke diagnosis was confirmed using neuroimaging (CT or MRI) and documented by a neurologist.

Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was the occurrence of ischemic stroke during the 12-month follow-up. Secondary variables included systolic and diastolic blood pressure control and CHA₂DS₂-VASc score.

Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation, while categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Between-group comparisons were made using the Chi-square test for categorical variables and the independent t-test for continuous variables. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios for stroke incidence, adjusted for potential confounders. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

A total of 240 hypertensive patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation were included in the study, with 120 patients in each treatment group. The mean age of the participants was 68.4 ± 9.2 years, with a slight male predominance (56%). Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups, with no significant differences in CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores, gender distribution, or blood pressure readings (Table 1).

During the 12-month follow-up, the overall incidence of ischemic stroke was 12.1% (29/240). Group A (beta-blocker group) reported 10 stroke events (8.3%), whereas Group B (calcium channel blocker group) had 19 events (15.8%), demonstrating a statistically significant difference (p = 0.045) (Table 2). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a higher cumulative stroke-free survival in the beta-blocker group

Multivariate Cox regression analysis, after adjusting for age, gender, and CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, showed that patients on beta-blockers had a 35% lower risk of stroke compared to those on calcium channel blockers (hazard ratio = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.43–0.98; p = 0.041) (Table 3).

Table 1: Baseline Characteristics of the Study Population

(Table 1 shows comparable baseline characteristics between the two groups.)

Table 2: Incidence of Ischemic Stroke in Study Groups

Statistically significant difference between groups (Chi-square test).
(Table 2 shows the incidence of ischemic stroke during the 12-month follow-up.)

Table 3: Multivariate Cox Regression Analysis for Stroke Risk

(Table 3 displays the adjusted hazard ratios for stroke predictors based on Cox regression.)

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of beta-blockers (BBs) versus calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in reducing the risk of ischemic stroke in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Our findings demonstrated that patients receiving beta-blockers experienced a significantly lower incidence of stroke compared to those on calcium channel blockers over a 12-month follow-up period. These results suggest a potential advantage of beta-blockers in this high-risk population.

Hypertension and AF often coexist, and their synergistic effect markedly increases stroke risk due to enhanced thromboembolic potential and atrial remodeling (1,2). Effective blood pressure and ventricular rate control are essential components of AF management, particularly in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities (3). Both BBs and CCBs are widely recommended for rate control in AF according to current guidelines, but their comparative impact on stroke prevention remains underexplored (4,5).

Our study aligns with earlier observational research that reported favorable cerebrovascular outcomes associated with beta-blocker use in patients with AF and elevated stroke risk profiles (6,7). Beta-blockers are known to exert anti-ischemic effects, improve autonomic balance, and reduce sympathetic overactivity, which may contribute to better long-term vascular outcomes (8,9). In contrast, although CCBs effectively control heart rate and lower blood pressure, their neutral or variable effect on stroke prevention has been noted in previous trials (10,11).

Furthermore, our multivariate analysis indicated that beta-blocker therapy independently reduced stroke risk after adjusting for confounding variables. These findings are consistent with a meta-analysis by Bangalore et al., which demonstrated modest stroke risk reduction in patients on BB therapy when compared to CCBs, particularly in those with coexisting cardiovascular conditions (12). Similarly, the AFFIRM trial emphasized the need for individualized pharmacologic selection based on comorbidities and risk stratification (13).

While non-dihydropyridine CCBs such as verapamil and diltiazem are effective in ventricular rate control, their potential to interact with anticoagulants and limited effect on autonomic modulation may partly explain their relatively higher stroke rates observed in our study (14). Additionally, the cardiovascular protective role of BBs may extend beyond rate control, influencing endothelial function and arterial compliance, thereby offering added benefits in hypertensive AF patients (15).

Nevertheless, our study has some limitations. Being retrospective in design, the potential for selection bias and confounding cannot be entirely excluded. Medication adherence, exact blood pressure control metrics, and the impact of concurrent anticoagulation therapy were not fully quantified, which may have influenced outcomes. Future prospective, randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm these findings and better inform therapeutic decision-making in this subgroup.

In conclusion, beta-blockers were found to be more effective than calcium channel blockers in reducing stroke incidence among hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation. These results support the preferential consideration of beta-blockers in this population, particularly when stroke risk reduction is a key therapeutic goal.

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