17 Sep Intensive Blood Pressure Control of More Americans Could Further Reduce Annual Mortality Rate

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Holly Mattix-Kramer

Holly Mattix-Kramer, MD, MPH
Public Health Sciences
Medicine, Nephrology
Associate Professor
Loyola Medicine, Illinois

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: The background is that the Systolic Blood Pressure Lowering Intervention Trial (SPRINT) showed that intensive systolic blood pressure lowering reduces all-cause mortality by 27% compared to standard blood pressure lowering among adults age 50 years and older without diabetes or stroke but with high cardiovascular disease risk. We applied these findings to the U.S. population and asked “What if intensive systolic blood pressure lowering were applied to the U.S. population who meet SPRINT eligibility criteria?

We found that approximately 18.1 million U.S. adults meet SPRINT criteria and that their annual mortality rate is 2.2%. If intensive systolic blood pressure lowering reduces all-cause mortality by 27%, then the annual mortality rate would be reduced to 1.6% and approximately 107,500 deaths would be prevented each year.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: A large number of adults meet SPRINT criteria and could potentially benefit from intensive systolic blood pressure lowering. In fact, over half of all U.S. adults who meet SPRINT criteria and taking NO anti-hypertensive medications.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: There are many controversies surrounding the potential implementation of intensive systolic blood pressure lowering. Some of these controversies include methods to measure blood pressure and increased risk for adverse events. While these issues are important and cannot be discounted, we need to keep in mind that this intervention has a very strong and positive impact on mortality along with stroke and heart failure risk.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Kramer H, Bress A, Beddhu S, et al. Intensive systolic blood pressure lowering will prevent over 100,000 deaths annually. Presented at American Heart Association Council on Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2016. September 14, 2016. Orlando, FL.
Richman IB, Fairley M, Jørgensen ME, et al. Cost-effectiveness of intensive blood pressure management. JAMA Cardiology.2016;Epub ahead of print.

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on September 17, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD