Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have discovered that many people with high blood pressure, also called hypertension, may need stronger treatment to avoid serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, and early death.
High blood pressure is one of the biggest health problems in the world. It is also the leading preventable cause of disease and death. In Sweden, more than 25% of adults have high blood pressure, which greatly increases their risk of heart disease and stroke.
The research team did several studies to learn how blood pressure levels affect health, especially in older adults. In one study, they looked at older people with high blood pressure who had never had a heart attack or stroke.
They found that people whose top blood pressure number (called systolic blood pressure, or SBP) was below 130 had a 40% lower risk of having a heart attack or stroke than those whose SBP was between 130 and 139. This shows that keeping blood pressure low can really help protect the heart and brain.
In another study, the researchers looked at patients with a heart condition called atrial fibrillation. These patients were taking medicine to prevent blood clots.
The study found that people with systolic blood pressure between 140 and 179 were twice as likely to have a bleeding stroke than those with blood pressure between 130 and 139. This shows how important it is to keep blood pressure in a safe range, especially for people with heart problems.
In a third large study, the researchers reviewed health data from over 259,000 people. They found that nine out of ten had at least one major risk factor that was not being managed well. These included high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking. Poor management of these risk factors often leads to more heart attacks, strokes, and early deaths.
The scientists say that many people in Sweden are not getting enough treatment for their high blood pressure. They suggest that more people should be taking medicine or making lifestyle changes to lower their blood pressure and cholesterol.
Treating high blood pressure properly can prevent serious health issues. Keeping both blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels can reduce the chances of deadly conditions.
The studies were led by Johan-Emil Bager and were published in Brain and Behavior and other journals. They show that we need to do more to help people with high blood pressure. This means not just taking medicine, but also eating better, exercising more, and quitting smoking. These changes can protect health and save lives.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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