The case for a greater blood pressure fall.
Several large intervention trials in hypertension have shown that treated hypertensive patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in spite of being treated. One possible explanation for this is the fact that the treated blood pressure rarely if ever is brought down to strictly normotensive levels. Against this view is the J-curve argument that suggests that too vigorous lowering of blood pressure may increase cardiovascular risks. Two prospective intervention trials have addressed this problem, the BBB Study, which has been published, and the much larger HOT Study which is still ongoing. Some of the findings in these two trials will be discussed with an emphasis on giving an up-date of the HOT Study.
Hansson
L
L
Department of Geriatrics, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents