According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an astounding 75 million people have high blood pressure with only 54 percent able to get their blood pressure under control. This is extremely dangerous as high blood pressure can lead to a devastating stroke or blood clot. The ECG monitor experts, ReactDx, examine the preliminary results of a new trial and what the most recent findings indicate.
The SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention) trial was created to determine whether the current treatment of a target systolic pressure of less than 140 mm Hg is best, or if a blood pressure target of less than 120 mm Hg would produce more optimal results. The researchers thought lowering the systolic blood pressure would mean less cardiovascular complications, as well as a reduced number of cardiovascular-related deaths.
The study featured 9,361 adults, all of which were over the age of 50, had a risk of cardiovascular disease, and registered a systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or higher. Half of the group was given three medications with the goal of reaching a blood pressure of 120 mm Hg or lower, while the other half of the group was treated with two medications to reach the goal of a blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or lower.
The results of the SPRINT study were so remarkable that the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute actually ended the study early. The group with the target systolic pressure of less than 120 mm Hg showed a 25 percent reduction in the number of strokes, heart attacks, and incidences of heart failure. In addition, the risk of death was lowered by 27 percent.
It is important to note that certain groups were excluded from this study, including individuals under the age of 50, patients diagnosed with diabetes, anyone who suffered a previous stroke, and patients with heart failure. Although the results do not apply to these groups, the study had a positive outcome for everyone else who showed an increased cardiovascular risk for high blood pressure.
Our team at ReactDx supplies a line of ECG monitors that can be used to determine the status of a patient’s overall heart health. Call us at 800-234-3278 to learn more, or visit our News & Updates page.
