Researchers have made a significant discovery: closely managing blood pressure can greatly lower the risk of heart problems, particularly for people who are at a high risk of heart disease.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the main factors that lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other serious health conditions.
Typically, doctors aim to keep the top number in blood pressure readings, called systolic blood pressure, below 140 mm Hg. However, this new study found that aiming for a lower target, below 120 mm Hg, is much more effective in preventing heart-related issues.
What the Study Was About
This research, known as the Effective Systolic Pressure Reduction Intervention Trial (ESPRIT), was conducted in China to see if stricter blood pressure control could help people who are more likely to have heart problems.
It focused on whether aiming for a systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg would lower the occurrence of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious conditions.
Key Findings
The results were quite clear. People who received the intensive treatment, aiming for a blood pressure below 120 mm Hg, experienced a 12% decrease in the occurrence of major heart-related events.
These events include heart attacks, strokes, deaths related to heart problems, hospitalizations due to heart failure, and procedures to restore blood flow in the heart.
Moreover, the study showed that this intensive treatment significantly reduced deaths caused by cardiovascular problems. Specifically, it led to a 39% reduction in deaths from heart-related issues compared to those who were treated with a standard approach.
This finding is particularly important because it suggests that strict blood pressure management could save many lives.
But the benefits didn’t stop there. The study also showed that the intensive approach helped reduce deaths from all causes by 21%. This indicates that carefully managing blood pressure can lead to overall better health outcomes.
Is Intensive Treatment Safe?
The researchers also looked at whether this more intensive blood pressure control approach caused any serious side effects.
They found that aiming for lower blood pressure did not lead to significantly more cases of low blood pressure, serious electrolyte imbalances, kidney problems, or injuries from falls.
There was a slight increase in the number of people who experienced fainting (known as syncope), but this was a rare occurrence.
Why This Matters
These findings highlight just how important it is to effectively control blood pressure, especially for those at higher risk of heart disease. High blood pressure affects millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
The results of this study suggest that lowering blood pressure more than what is usually recommended could prevent heart problems and extend lives.
In summary, intensive blood pressure management could be a game-changing approach to preventing heart disease and related deaths. By aiming for a lower target of 120 mm Hg instead of the standard 140 mm Hg, doctors could help many people avoid serious heart issues.
However, as with any medical treatment, it’s essential for patients to discuss their specific health needs and risks with their healthcare providers.
This study underscores the value of taking preventive measures and managing blood pressure effectively to ensure better health outcomes for those most at risk.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that could increase high blood pressure risk, and eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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