Aim To investigate the relationship between atrial fibrillation(AF) and atherosclerosis in patients with hypertension. Methods 145 subjects were enrolled in the present study,according to the results of electrocardiogram,and were divided into two groups: 75 subjects with sinus rhythm and 70 subjects with AF.The baseline clinical characteristics of the patients were analyzed and the intima-media thickness(IMT) and the prevalence atherosclerosis plaques of the carotid artery were measured by echocardiography. Results Individuals with AF had higher carotid artery IMT(P<0.05)and the increased prevalence atherosclerosis plaques(P<0.01) than those with sinus rhythm(P<0.05).Age,the presence of AF,the course of hypertension,and hs-CRP were found to be significantly correlated with carotid artery IMT and the prevalence atherosclerosis plaques.Multivariate logistic regression revealed that AF was independently associated with the presence of carotid prevalence atherosclerosis plaques(OR=1.752,P<0.01) after adjusting for other confounded factors. Conclusions The presence of atrial fibrillation was significantly correlated with carotid artery IMT and the prevalence atherosclerosis plaques after adjusting for age,the course of hypertension,and hs-CRP in patients with hypertension.