9 in 10 people with high blood pressure need better treatment

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Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have conducted studies indicating that more intensive treatment for high blood pressure may be necessary to reduce the risks of heart attack, stroke, and premature death.

Key Findings from the Studies

Association Between Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Risk: One study focused on older patients with hypertension but without a history of heart attacks or strokes.

It found that those with systolic blood pressure (SBP) below 130 mmHg had a 40% lower risk of heart attack or stroke compared to those with SBP between 130-139 mmHg.

Hemorrhagic Stroke Risk in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: Another study looked at patients with atrial fibrillation on blood-thinning medications.

This study revealed that patients with SBP between 140-179 mmHg were twice as likely to have a hemorrhagic stroke than those with SBP of 130-139 mmHg.

Insufficient Blood Pressure Control: A third study involving 259,753 patients showed that 90% had either inadequate blood pressure control, high blood cholesterol levels, or were smokers, factors contributing to heart attack, stroke, or premature death.

Implications for Hypertension Treatment

The findings from these studies highlight the importance of effective hypertension management.

The University of Gothenburg research team believes that most patients with high blood pressure could significantly reduce their risk of severe health issues through more comprehensive treatment strategies.

These could include additional medications and lifestyle modifications aimed at lowering blood pressure and blood lipids.

Conclusion

The research underscores the necessity of prioritizing the treatment and management of hypertension to prevent life-threatening illnesses and premature death.

With hypertension being a leading treatable cause of illness and death globally, these findings are particularly crucial for public health strategies and individual patient care.

The studies, conducted by Johan-Emil Bager and colleagues, provide critical insights into hypertension management and the potential benefits of more rigorous treatment protocols to enhance patient outcomes.

If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.

For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.

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