Background Central aortic systolic blood pressure (CASP) has been shown to be a stronger predictor of target-organ damage and cardiovascular events than brachial systolic blood pressure (BSBP),but there was no data about whether CASP can predict prolonged QRS duration more than BSBP.We examined the association of CASP and BSBP with QRS duration in rural community residents.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 490 rural community residents.Standard resting 12-lead ECG and central aortic blood pressure (CABP) were measured noninvasively in all subjects at baseline.The QRS duration was equal to or more than 120 ms being defined as prolonged QRS duration.Results The prolonged QRS duration group showed higher CASP (139.38 ± 11.67 vs.135.36 ± 16.22,P =0.031) and BSBP (136.03 ± 6.74 vs.124.44 ± 13.01,P ＜ 0.001) as compared with controls.Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that CASP,BSBP and heart rate were independently affecting QRS duration.Logistic regression analyses showed that CASP (OR 1.057,95％CI:1.027,1.088,P ＜ 0.001) and BSBP (OR 1.056,95％CI:1.027,1.086,P =0.032) were independent predictors of prolonged QRS duration after adjustment for age,sex,body mass index,heart rate.CASP had a better predictive value for prolonged QRS duration than (AUC:0.793 vs.0.601,P ＜ 0.001) BSBP.Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that both CASP and BSBP are risks for prolonged QRS duration,but CASP can predict prolonged QRS duration better than BSBP.