Clin Hypertens.
2020 Apr;26(1):21. 10.1186/s40885-020-00153-z.
Intensive blood pressure lowering: a practical review
- Camafort M
1,2,3 - Redón J3,4
- Pyun WB5
- Coca A1,2
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine-ICMiD. Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
- 2Cardiovascular Risk, Nutrition and Aging Research Group. IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
- 3Ciber-OBN, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- 4Hypertension Clinic. Hospital Clinico, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- 5Department of Cardiology, Ewha Womans University. Seoul Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- KMID: 2511913
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40885-020-00153-z
Abstract
- According to the last Hypertension guideline recommendations, it may be concluded that intensive BP lowering is only advisable in a subgroup of patients where there is a clear net benefit of targeting to lower BP goals. However, taking into account the relevance of correct BP measurement, estimates of the benefits versus the harm should be based on reliable office BP measurements and home BP measurements. There is still debate about which BP goals are optimal in reducing morbidity and mortality in uncomplicated hypertensives and in those with associated comorbidities. In recent years, trials and meta-analyses have assessed intensive BP lowering, with some success. However, a careful examination of the results shows that current data are not easily applicable to the general hypertensive population. This article reviews the evidence on and controversies about intensive BP lowering in general and in specific clinical situations, and the importance of obtaining reliable BP readings in patients with hypertension and comorbidities.
