Systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in people at high cardiovascular risk.
- According to researchers, reducing blood pressure below the threshold of 120 mmHg further reduces the risk of cardiovascular accidents.
- This requires intensive treatment with higher doses of antihypertensive drugs.
- The authors of the study believe that it is safe for the patients concerned.
One in three adults suffer from hypertension in France, according to Inserm. This corresponds to too high blood pressure on the blood vessels. Ultimately, this disease increases the risk of cardiovascular disorders. Different treatments make it possible to reduce blood pressure so that it falls below 140 mmHg, the commonly accepted threshold for so-called systolic blood pressure. But according to one study of the American Heart Association, this rate should be even lower: the authors state that a reduction in systolic blood pressure to less than 120 mm Hg significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients.
Hypertension: blood pressure needs to be further reduced
“Three-year intensive intervention aimed at lowering the maximum blood pressure index to less than 120 mmHg was found to be more effective in preventing death, heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events in high-risk adults of cardiovascular disease, compared to the standard treatment goal of less than 140 mmHg”, conclude these scientists. This observation is valid for all patients suffering from hypertension with high cardiovascular risk and normal or slightly reduced renal function, regardless of their diabetic status and history of diabetes.
Hypertension and cardiovascular risk: two treatment methods
The study is based on a trial called ESPRIT, involving more than 11,000 adults in China. The researchers sought to evaluate the effects of a “intensive blood pressure reduction strategy on the incidence of major cardiovascular events”. This includes heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death, revascularization, hospitalization or emergency room visit due to cardiac causes. Blindedly, patients were divided into two groups: the first received intensive blood pressure treatment with a systolic blood pressure target of less than 120 mm Hg or standard treatment, with a target measurement of less than 140 mm Hg over a three-year period. “Antihypertensive medications were prescribed to lower blood pressure in both groups., note the authors. But the doses were higher in the intensive treatment group.
What are the effects of intensive treatment for hypertension?
The researchers found that after two years, participants in the intensive treatment group had “significantly better results”. Compared to standard treatment, this method avoided 12% of heart attacks, strokes, revascularization procedures, hospitalizations or emergency room visits for heart failure; 39% of deaths of cardiovascular origin; and 21% of deaths from all causes. “These results provide evidence that intensive hypertension treatment focused on achieving systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg is beneficial and safe for people with high blood pressure and increased cardiovascular risk factors, explains the lead author of this study, Jing Li. Implementation of this intensive treatment strategy for high-risk adults has the potential to save more lives and reduce the public health burden of heart disease worldwide.”
