Intensive blood pressure control for the wider population – a lifesaver?

This study estimated the number of lives that could be saved by implementing intensive blood pressure control regimens.

They found that over 100,000 deaths could be prevented yearly in the United States by implementing an intensive blood pressure control regimen.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious condition that is common in adults. The risk of adverse events such as a heart attack and death is high in these patients.

Recent studies have shown that intensive blood pressure control strategies are more effective than standard regimens in reducing the risk of cardiovascular (heart and circulatory system) events and death. Intensive blood pressure control involves maintaining systolic blood pressure lower than 120 mmHg. Standard treatment aims to reduce systolic blood pressure below 140 mmHg. Intensive blood pressure control has been associated with a greater chance of serious adverse events. 

This study investigated if intensive blood pressure control could be used to predict the number of patients who could benefit from this regimen.

This study included data from 2185 patients with hypertension undergoing intensive or standard blood pressure monitoring. Patients with a history of type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart failure or kidney disease were excluded from this analysis. Mortality (death) rates were obtained and the chance of survival was calculated using a statistical formula.

The number of projected deaths in patients undergoing standard treatment was over 398,000 annually, compared to over 290,00 in patients undergoing intensive control. Implementing intensive blood pressure control in adults with hypertension could prevent a predicted 107,500 deaths. An increased number of hypotensive (low blood pressure) episodes (56,000) and kidney injury (89,000) are potential adverse events which are predicted to occur. 

This study concluded that over 100,000 deaths could be prevented yearly in the United States by implementing an intensive blood pressure control regimen.

The majority of patients included in this study were white. These findings may not be applicable to all ethnicities. 

If you have any questions regarding your blood pressure management, please discuss with your doctor.