The debate over the optimal blood pressure treatment target of less than 130/80 mmHg

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Nephrology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• Optimal blood pressure (BP) control is crucial for preventing or mitigating these serious health complications.
• A controversy exists regarding the optimal BP target, specifically the <130/80 mmHg goal proposed by the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the ongoing debate surrounding the <130/80 mmHg BP target recommended by the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines.
• To evaluate the universal acceptance and safety of this BP target across all age groups.
• To assess the efficacy of the <130/80 mmHg BP target in preventing cardiovascular and renal complications.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search of the Medline database was conducted.
• The search focused on English-language studies published between 2017 and February 2022.
• Twenty-five relevant studies were selected for analysis to investigate the current status of BP control at the <130/80 mmHg target.

Main Results:

• Analysis of selected studies indicates that achieving BP levels below 130/80 mmHg is effective in reducing overall BP.
• These BP targets demonstrate efficacy in preventing major cardiovascular events, heart failure, and the progression of chronic kidney disease.
• The findings suggest that the <130/80 mmHg BP target is widely accepted and considered safe and effective.

Conclusions:

• The BP targets proposed by the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines are effective in lowering BP and reducing associated cardiovascular complications.
• Current evidence supports adherence to these guidelines for hypertension management.
• Further research and new data may refine these recommendations in the future.