-
Views
-
Cite
Cite
George Bakris, Matthew Sorrentino, Perspective on the New Blood-Pressure Guidelines, European Heart Journal, Volume 39, Issue 33, 01 September 2018, Pages 3008–3009, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehy280
Close - Share Icon Share
Extract
Large population studies demonstrate a continuum of ascending cardiovascular risk with elevations in with blood pressure starting at levels of 115/75 mmHg. Most hypertension treatment trials demonstrate a reduction in cardiovascular events with treated blood pressures down to levels of 140/90 mmHg. This changed with the publication of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) that documented a significant reduction in cardiovascular events in high risk individuals targeted to a blood pressure levels of less than 120 mmHg compared with less than 140 mmHg. This landmark trial coupled with some recent epidemiological studies has changed the paradigm on blood pressure treatment targets in high risk individuals.
The new Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults by the American College and Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) acknowledges the newer clinical trial data by redefining hypertension. The guideline defined blood pressure below 120/80 mmHg as normal blood pressure and elevated blood pressure as systolic pressure of 120–129 mmHg with a diastolic pressure below 80 mmHg. Blood pressures of 130–139 mmHg systolic or 80–89 mmHg diastolic are now defined as stage 1 hypertension, whereas those 140/90 mmHg or greater, the old definition of hypertension, is now defined as stage 2 hypertension.
