Is It Time to Reappraise Blood Pressure Thresholds and Targets? A Statement From the International Society of Hypertension-A Global Perspective.

Abstract

The SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) findings,1 together with the publication of other major studies within the last year addressing how low blood pressure should be targeted to prevent cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension,2–4 support what we have known for a long time that: (1) blood pressure >115/75 mm Hg is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, (2) blood pressure lowering is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality, (3) antihypertensive drugs reduce the incidence of hypertension-associated events, and (4) prevention of cardiovascular morbidity is largely related to blood pressure lowering per se, although other effects of the drugs used contribute to this benefit. The questions that are now posed, particularly in response to an editorial commentary by the Editors of this Journal,5 are the following: What is the threshold at which antihypertensive treatment should be initiated? and what target blood pressure should we strive for to achieve maximum benefit in patients with hypertension? SPRINT and other recent meta-analyses and trials provide new data that allow us to sharpen and refine recommendations for blood pressure targets in people with hypertension.1–4 Here, we will briefly address the questions in the worldwide context of hypertension. In hypertensive patients without diabetes mellitus, previous stroke or polycystic kidney disease, SPRINT has provided strong evidence that targeting systolic blood pressure of <120 mm Hg (as measured by an automated measurement protocol in the office)1 provides significantly stronger protection from cardiovascular events and death than the traditionally accepted target of <140 mm Hg. This study was conducted in a hypertensive patient cohort of intermediate-to-high cardiovascular risk. It should be highlighted that the target of 120 mm Hg in SPRINT was based on blood pressure readings using a defined protocol with an office automated device, where blood pressure …