Abstract 103: The Effects of s Lower Blood Pressure Treatment Goal on Orthostatic Hypotension in Adults With Recent Stroke

Abstract

Background: Lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) treatment goals reduce risk of orthostatic hypotension (OH). Whether a lower goal also reduces orthostatic symptoms is unknown. Methods: We examined the effect of SBP goal on OH in SPS3-BP (Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes - Blood Pressure), an open label, randomized trial. Adults with a recent stroke (<6 months) were assigned to either a SBP goal of 130-149 mm Hg or <130 mm Hg. During follow-up, BP was measured 3 times in a seated position and once after 2 minutes of standing. OH was defined as a drop in SBP ≥20 mm Hg or DBP ≥10 mm Hg. We also examined extreme standing BP values (SBP ≥190 mm Hg or ≤90 mm Hg; DBP ≥110 mm Hg or ≤40 mm Hg). Participants were asked about dizziness and lightheadedness in the process of standing up. We used generalized estimating equations to account for repeat measurements. Results: During 36,342 visits, involving 2,876 participants (mean age 62.8 ± 10.7 yrs, 37% women, 16% black) with a mean of 15 follow-up visits, OH was present 2,591 times in 1,165 participants. Similarly, dizziness was present 1,343 times (in 592 participants) and lightheadedness was present 941 times (in 893 participants). A lower SBP goal (compared to standard) was associated with a lower risk of OH (OR 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.99), a higher risk of SBP ≤90 mm Hg (3.79; 2.35, 6.11) or DBP ≤40 mm Hg (2.42; 1.41, 4.15), and a lower risk of SBP ≥190 mm Hg (0.40; 0.27, 0.60) or DBP ≥110 mm Hg (0.31; 0.19, 0.50) ( Table ). BP goal did not affect dizziness or lightheadedness. Conclusions: A lower SBP goal decreased OH without affecting orthostatic symptoms. These findings support recent observations that more intensive SBP treatment does not increase risk of falls.