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The Hypertension Optimal Treatment Study: what did it give us?
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Nevada School of Medicine, and Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center (III), 1000 Locust Street, Reno, NV 89520 USA.
Current Hypertension Reports
|September 12, 2000
Summary
Lowering diastolic blood pressure below 80 mm Hg in diabetic patients significantly reduces cardiovascular events. Aspirin therapy in hypertensive patients is safe and lowers major cardiovascular events and heart attacks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Research
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Moderate hypertension affects a significant patient population.
- Optimal blood pressure targets and adjunctive therapies require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the optimal target blood pressure for treating moderate hypertension.
- To assess the impact of low-dose aspirin on morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients.
Main Methods:
- A large, randomized, multicenter trial involving nearly 19,000 patients.
- Follow-up duration of 3.8 years to observe cardiovascular outcomes.
Main Results:
- Lowering diastolic blood pressure (DBP) below 80 mm Hg in diabetic patients decreased major cardiovascular events and mortality compared to DBP < 90 mm Hg.
- Aspirin therapy in hypertensive patients reduced major cardiovascular events and acute myocardial infarction.
- The lowest cardiovascular event rate for the general population was observed at a DBP of 83 mm Hg.
Conclusions:
- Intensive DBP reduction (< 80 mm Hg) is beneficial for diabetic patients with hypertension.
- Aspirin therapy is a safe and effective adjunct for reducing cardiovascular events in hypertensive individuals.
- The optimal DBP target for the general hypertensive population appears to be around 83 mm Hg.