A computer simulation led by New York-based Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian has led researchers to suggest lowering national blood pressure goals for adults at high risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the researchers, doing so could save tens of thousands of lives annually and slash costs.
Guidelines from the 8th Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in 2014 recommended physicians aim for a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg in adults with diabetes or chronic kidney disease and 150 mmHg in healthy adults over age 60.
The new guidelines suggest a more intensive systolic blood pressure goal of 120 mmHg in patients at high risk for cardiovascular disease. The new suggestions were based on a simulation that found a systolic blood pressure goal of 120 mmHg reduced both cardiovascular events and mortality by roughly 25 percent, compared with the current goal of 140 mmHg.
Lowering treatment goals for this population in the 8th Joint National Committee guidelines could prevent an estimated 43,000 additional deaths from cardiovascular disease each year, as well as treatment costs.
Results of the study could potentially prompt experts to revise national hypertension treatment guidelines, the goals of which have been relaxed for specific high-risk patients in recent years.
"Our simulation shows that we have everything to gain by taking a more aggressive approach to lowering systolic blood pressure in patients with certain cardiovascular disease risk factors," said Andrew Moran, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at CUMC and physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia.
More articles on cardiac care:
Older patients with impaired heart function face high risk of tricuspid regurgitation
Infection control, antibiotic stewardship reduces cardiac SSIs
Mount Sinai researchers discover how to reverse cardiac fibrosis in heart failure models