High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can pose serious risks to your health.
It makes your arteries less flexible and can reduce blood and oxygen flow to your heart, leading to heart disease.
Sometimes, this decreased blood flow may result in chest pain, also referred to as angina.
In a recent research endeavor, scientists from the University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered that an intense treatment approach to high blood pressure could potentially reduce heart disease and mortality rates.
This approach targets to bring systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) to less than 120 mm Hg.
Procedure and Participants of the Study
The study involved a total of 9,361 participants, all of whom were at a heightened risk of heart disease. The participants did not have diabetes or any previous history of stroke.
These individuals were assigned to two different groups: one group was to adhere to the intensive treatment target of systolic blood pressure being less than 120 mm Hg, and the second group was assigned to a standard treatment target of systolic blood pressure being less than 140 mm Hg.
Outcomes and Findings
Results of the study showed significant differences between the two groups.
Participants in the intensive treatment group had much lower rates of heart attacks, other heart syndromes, strokes, heart failure, death from heart disease, and death from all causes when compared to the standard treatment group.
However, the intensive treatment approach wasn’t without its drawbacks. Participants in this group also experienced more serious adverse events, including low blood pressure, kidney injury or failure, and fainting.
Insights from Extended Data
When trial and post-trial follow-up data were combined, similar patterns were observed.
After the study, the blood pressure difference between the two groups lessened gradually. Notably, heart failure was more frequently observed in the intensive-treatment group.
Study Implications and Conclusions
While this research suggests that an intensive approach to treating high blood pressure could lead to lower rates of heart disease and mortality, it’s important to consider the potential risks and adverse events associated with such a strategy.
This research led by Cora E. Lewis is a significant contribution to our understanding of managing high blood pressure.
It provides an invaluable perspective that could help guide future strategies in combating heart disease and overall mortality rates among those with high blood pressure.
The study was published in the respected New England Journal of Medicine, affirming its rigorous methodology and robust findings.
Further research is needed to refine and optimize treatment approaches for high blood pressure.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about blood pressure drugs that could increase heart failure risk, and common high blood pressure drugs may have dangerous side effects.
For more information about blood pressure health, please see recent studies about common juice that could help reduce high blood pressure, and results showing the new advice for treating high blood pressure.
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