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Management targets and thresholds for treatment
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, St Mary's Hospital, London, UK.
Insights
Managing hypertension aims to lower cardiovascular risks. Lowering blood pressure through medication is proven to reduce stroke and coronary heart disease events, making treatment objectives achievable.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Management
Background:
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Elevated arterial pressure is linked to increased cardiovascular disease incidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the objectives in managing hypertensive patients.
- To emphasize the realistic nature of these objectives based on evidence.
Main Methods:
- Review of intervention trials on blood pressure lowering drugs.
- Analysis of evidence linking blood pressure reduction to cardiovascular event incidence.
Main Results:
- Drug-induced blood pressure lowering significantly reduces stroke incidence.
- Lowering blood pressure also decreases coronary heart disease events.
Conclusions:
- The objectives of managing hypertension are achievable.
- Pharmacological interventions are effective in reducing cardiovascular risks associated with high blood pressure.
Abstract:
The objectives in managing the hypertensive patient are to reduce or reverse the risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, that are known to be associated with higher levels of arterial pressure. Given the overwhelming evidence from the intervention trials (discussed previously) that the lowering of blood pressure by drugs is associated with a reduction in the incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease events, such objectives are realistic.