How low should blood pressure go? New answers from AHA conference
Recent studies presented at the American Heart Association conference suggest that intensifying blood pressure treatment can improve outcomes for patients with diabetes or a history of stroke. One trial specifically highlighted the effectiveness of spironolactone in post-stroke care.
Why it matters
Refining blood pressure management guidelines is critical for reducing the global burden of cardiovascular disease, the world's leading cause of death.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images By Elizabeth Cooney
Liz covers cardiovascular and metabolic disease, asking why we’re not doing better or even losing ground against the world’s leading killer. Send tips on Signal at LizC.22.
CHICAGO — High blood pressure has earned its reputation as the silent killer. If someone has diabetes or has had a stroke, the risk of serious cardiovascular events posed by hypertension climbs even higher.
Three studies presented Saturday at the American Heart Association’s scientific sessions reported on recent attempts to lower blood pressure in people with these challenging medical histories, and how medical care should reach across specialties to treat them. One small but diverse trial tested a common diuretic after a stroke, another looked at intensifying treatment to reach lower-than-standard post-stroke blood pressure goals, and the third looked at going lower in people living with type 2 diabetes.
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