Strict blood pressure management and cardiovascular disease risk: results from the SPRINT study

This study investigated if strict blood pressure (BP) management improves cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. 

They found that strict BP control reduced the risk of atherosclerotic CVD.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is caused by a number of factors. Atherosclerotic CVD (asCVD) is caused by blockages in the arteries. Managing blood pressure (BP) is important to prevent the development of asCVD. Recently, a trial called SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) investigated BP management. It found that stricter BP control improved the management of hypertension (high BP).

Using a target of less than 120 mmHg for systolic BP improves patient outcomes. Systolic BP is the pressure in your arteries when the heart muscle contracts to pump blood out of it (the upper number in the BP reading). High systolic BP may lead to worse outcomes in patients with asCVD. It is unclear if strict BP control (systolic below 120 mmHg) improves asCVD.

This study included 9,361 patients over 50 years of age. Patients had systolic BP higher than 130 mmHg. Patients also had at least one risk factor for CVD. Patients were assigned to intensive (below 120 mmHg systolic) or standard (between 135-139 mmHg systolic). Patient medical records were used from the SPRINT study. The authors identified events linked to asCVD including heart attack, stroke, and death. They also noted any serious adverse events (SAEs).

Patients in the intensive BP control group had a 25% lower risk of asCVD events. Patients with a higher risk of asCVD at the beginning of the study were more likely to develop asCVD and experience SAEs. 

The authors concluded that strict BP control reduced the risk of atherosclerotic CVD.

This study included patients with at least 1 risk factor for CVD. It remains to be seen if strict BP control reduces the risk of CVD in a patients without a baseline risk.

If you have any concerns regarding CVD and BP management, please discuss this with your physician.