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The mild hypertension enigma
R Antonicelli1, L Amadio, E Paciaroni
1Department of Cardiovascular Pathology and Arterial Hypertension, INRCA (Italian National Research Centre on Aging,) Ancona, Italy.
Insights
Mild arterial hypertension may not be a direct cause of cardiovascular damage but rather an indicator of accelerated atherosclerosis. Current treatments focusing solely on lowering blood pressure may not alter the disease
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Clinical Policy Research
Background:
- Mild arterial hypertension is often considered a significant risk factor for cardiovascular damage.
- Existing clinical guidelines emphasize managing mild hypertension to prevent cardiovascular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the correlation between mild arterial hypertension and cardiovascular damage.
- To question the current clinical approach to mild hypertension as a primary risk factor.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and analysis of major clinical trials on mild hypertension.
- Evaluation of therapeutic trial outcomes concerning mortality rates.
Main Results:
- Therapeutic interventions for mild hypertension did not significantly reduce overall or cardiac mortality.
- Arterial hypertension may function as a marker for the accelerated progression of atheromatous disease.
Conclusions:
- The current clinical policy of treating mild arterial hypertension as a direct cause of cardiovascular disease may require revision.
- Focusing solely on normalizing blood pressure might not impact the natural progression of atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
This study examines the problem of the correlation between mild arterial hypertension and cardiovascular damage. The authors examine the results of the most important trials carried out and, on the basis of their evaluations, suggest the need to review the current clinical policy of considering mild arterial hypertension as an important risk factor directly related to cardiovascular disease. Since the therapeutic trials carried out on mild hypertension did not substantially reduce the total and cardiac mortality rate, it seems to be probable that arterial hypertension is a progression acceleration marker of atheromatous disease. According to this theory, a therapy which aims merely at returning the pressure values to normal limits will probably not change the natural course of the atheromatous process.