Treating suboptimal blood pressure and blood glucose levels could potentially halve the incidence of atrioventricular block, a study has found.

The US research is the first of its kind to evaluate the association between common modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and atrioventricular block (AV) block incidence, the researchers say.

Using data from participants enrolled in the Mini-Finland Health Survey from 1978-80, more than 6100 adults (mean age 49 years at baseline) were followed for up to 32 years to examine the demographics, comorbidities, and laboratory and electrocardiographic measurements as potential risk factors.

ECG evidence of conduction disease was found in 529 participants (8.6%) and 58 (0.9%) were hospitalised with AV block, 40 of whom had no preceding myocardial infarction or other major coronary events.