More aggressive targets for blood pressure can significantly reduce cardiovascular disease and death

Aggressive targeting for lowering blood pressure significantly reduced rates of cardiovascular disease and death, according to new study data.

The SPRINT study, sponsored primarily by the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), was conducted by the US National Institutes of Health and involved more than 9,000 participants aged 50 years and above, who had hypertension at higher risk for heart disease or who had kidney disease.

The patients were randomized to a standard treatment group, receiving on average two different hypertension drugs to achieve the currently-recommended systolic blood pressure target of less than 140mm Hg, or to a group receiving intense therapy, which was given an average of three medications to attain less than 120mm HG. The study excluded patients with diabetes, a prior stroke or polycystic kidney disease.