Redefining Blood-Pressure Targets - SPRINT Starts the Marathon.
N Engl J Med. 2015 Nov 9;
Authors: Perkovic V, Rodgers A
Abstract
Blood pressure is a potent determinant of cardiovascular risk, but the most appropriate targets for blood-pressure lowering have long been debated. Observational studies with a low risk of confounding have shown a linear relationship between blood pressure and cardiovascular risk down to 115/75 mm Hg,(1) but some observational studies with a greater potential for confounding, involving persons at increased risk, have suggested a J-shaped curve - that is, below a given blood pressure, risk would increase. When trials of blood-pressure-lowering drugs have shown benefits in patients without hypertension, these effects have often been ascribed to alternative mechanisms. The widespread uncertainty . . .
PMID: 26551394 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]