Lower BP Doesn’t Always Reduce the Risk of Adverse CV Events
Reserachers found that lowering systolic blood pressure (BP) below 120 mmHg does not always reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular (CV) events such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke or sudden death linked to coronary heart disease.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center followed 4,480 participants for 21 years in the framework of the 'Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study' and examined whether systolic BP lower than 120 mmHg in hypertensive patients lowered the risk of adverse CV events.
Systolic BP Chategorization
Elevated Systolic BP > 140 mmHg
Standard Systolic BP is between 120 – 139 mmHg
Low systolic BP < 120 mmHg
Research Findings
If systolic BP is below 140 mmHg, lowering it below 120 does not further lower the risk of CV events.
According to the study, the optimal BP range for people with high blood pressure is between 120 and 139 mmHg, which significantly reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack or heart failure and it is not necessary to go below the range to have all the benefits.
Study findings, however, yet need to be confirmed by a large clinical trial which is just under way.
Meditech (Budapest, Hungary) is one of the worldwide technology leaders in the areas of ambulatory BP and Holter ECG monitoring. Since 1990, Meditech monitors have been distributed to primary care providers, specialists, diagnostic labs, community hospitals, university clinc, research institutes, medical device distributors, pharmaceutical companies. Meditech ambulatory BP monitors are sold in private label and OEM partnership as well.