ORLANDO (Reuters) — A large study funded by the U.S. government has found that more intensive lowering of blood pressure in adults over the age of 50 significantly reduces the risk of heart failure and death. These findings could lead to a reassessment of target goals in hypertension treatment guidelines.
Data from the SPRINT trial, released on Monday, showed some concerning side effects; however, researchers stated that the benefits outweigh the risks.
“This is a very important finding,” said Dr. Mark Pfeffer of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, commenting on the study at the American Heart Association’s scientific meeting held in Orlando, Florida. According to him, the results call for appropriate updates to treatment guidelines: “If problems arise in an individual patient, adjustments can always be made.”
Study Design and Key Findings
The SPRINT trial was a planned five-year study involving more than 9,300 patients with hypertension. However, it was stopped nearly two years early after independent monitors observed a clear benefit in reducing mortality and other risk factors.
Initial results showed that compared with the standard treatment target (systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg), patients treated to a more intensive target (systolic <120 mm Hg) experienced significant benefits. Lowering systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg reduced the overall risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure by about one-third, and reduced the risk of death from any cause by approximately one-quarter.
In addition, intensive treatment led to a 38% reduction in hospitalizations for heart failure, while the risk of death from cardiovascular causes was 43% lower. These findings highlight the advantages of lowering treatment targets from the previously widely accepted range of 140/90 mm Hg to a more intensive target of 120 mm Hg.
Side Effects and Safety Considerations
Nevertheless, the intensive treatment group experienced higher rates of certain adverse events, including hypotension, fainting, electrolyte imbalances, and kidney injury or failure. The overall increase in these complications was approximately 1–2%, and researchers noted that these side effects were manageable with proper medical supervision.
Conclusion
The SPRINT trial demonstrates that intensive blood pressure management significantly reduces the risk of heart failure and death in older patients. However, treatment plans should be individualized, potential side effects carefully monitored, and therapy conducted under appropriate medical supervision.