SPRINT: More Intensive Blood Pressure Management Saves Lives

Abstract

A more intensive strategy of blood pressure management reduces the risk for death and cardiovascular events when compared with a strategy that lowers systolic blood pressure to the conventional target of 140 mm Hg, a large study found. In the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), investigators reported in a September media briefing that treating high-risk hypertensive adults aged 50 years and older to a target of 120 mm Hg significantly reduced cardiovascular events by 30% and all-cause mortality by nearly 25%. The study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, was stopped early because of the benefit of the intensive strategy, according to investigators.[2] However, absolute risk reductions were  small and some adverse effects were higher in the intensive- treatment group. The SPRINT investigators said it is too  early to speculate on how the results will change clinical practice; the data need to be reviewed and updated guidelines incorporating the results still need to be written. JMS 2015;18(2):167