A new study has found that lowering the top number in your blood pressure reading—called systolic blood pressure—to less than 120 mm Hg can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
This is more effective than the older goal of keeping it under 140 mm Hg, especially for people who already have a high risk of heart problems.
These new findings were shared at the 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions held in Philadelphia. The study was led by Dr. Jing Li from the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases in Beijing, China.
The study, known as the ESPRIT trial, followed more than 11,000 adults in China. All of them had high blood pressure and were at risk of heart disease.
They were randomly placed into two groups. One group aimed to lower their systolic blood pressure to below 120 mm Hg. The other group aimed for below 140 mm Hg, which is the current standard.
Both groups took medications to help lower their blood pressure. But the group aiming for 120 mm Hg received higher doses and more types of medicine.
After three years, the results were clear. The group with the lower blood pressure goal had better outcomes. They had 12% fewer cases of heart attack, stroke, death from heart disease, and hospital stays for heart failure. Deaths from heart disease were cut by 39%, and overall deaths were reduced by 21%.
There were some side effects. A few people in the lower blood pressure group fainted. This happened to about 3 out of every 1,000 patients. But the benefits—like fewer heart attacks and deaths—were much greater than this small risk.
Dr. Li said that this study proves lowering systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg is both safe and helpful for people at high risk of heart disease. He believes this approach could save many lives around the world and help reduce the number of people suffering from heart-related problems.
The average age of the people in the study was 64 years. About 30% had a history of heart disease, and 27% had already experienced a stroke.
Even though the study was done in China, its results are similar to those found in other countries. Scientists plan to continue studying this approach to learn more about its long-term effects.
This research could lead to new guidelines for treating high blood pressure and help people live longer, healthier lives.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how vitamin D influences cholesterol levels, and what we know about egg intake and heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about best supplements for heart disease prevention, and wild blueberries can benefit your heart and brain.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
