23 Aug Targeting a Lower Systolic Blood Pressure Likely To Be Well Tolerated, Even In Elderly

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dan Berlowitz, MD, MPH
Investigator, CHOIR
Chief of Staff, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA Hospital
Professor, Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine

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

Response: The main results from the SPRINT study, published in 2015, demonstrated that intensive hypertension therapy targeting a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120 mm Hg results in reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality when compared to standard therapy targeting a SBP of 140. Yet many have expressed concerns that lowering SBP to 120 may be associated with a variety of symptoms, including dizziness, fatigue, and depression, especially in older and frailer patients.

This study using SPRINT data examined patient-reported outcomes including health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms, and satisfaction.

The main findings are that there were no differences in patient-reported outcomes among patients receiving intensive therapy compared to standard therapy, even among older SPRINT participants with multiple comorbidities.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: Active hypertension management targeting a lower systolic blood pressure is likely to be well tolerated by patients, even those over age 75 and with multiple comorbidities.

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

Response: There needs to be research on new strategies to implement these recommendations for a lower blood pressure target.

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

Citation:
Effect of Intensive Blood-Pressure Treatment on Patient-Reported Outcomes

Dan R. Berlowitz, M.D., M.P.H., Capri G. Foy, Ph.D., Lewis E. Kazis, Sc.D., Linda P. Bolin, Ph.D., R.N., Molly B. Conroy, M.D., M.P.H., Peter Fitzpatrick, M.D., Tanya R. Gure, M.D., Paul L. Kimmel, M.D., Kent Kirchner, M.D., Donald E. Morisky, Sc.D., M.S.P.H., Jill Newman, M.S., Christine Olney, Ph.D., R.N., Suzanne Oparil, M.D., Nicholas M. Pajewski, Ph.D., James Powell, M.D., Thomas Ramsey, Ph.D., M.B.A., Debra L. Simmons, M.D., Joni Snyder, M.A., Mark A. Supiano, M.D., Daniel E. Weiner, M.D., and Jeff Whittle, M.D., for the SPRINT Research Group^*

N Engl J Med 2017; 377:733-744
August 24, 2017DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1611179

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

[wysija_form id=”5″]

Last Updated on August 23, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD