No cardiovascular benefit when using drugs in mild hypertension

Taking medication for high blood pressure does not provide any benefit to patients with mild hypertension in terms of reducing the risk of death or cardiovascular disease, although they present a higher risk of developing hypertension. Adverse effects.

This is the conclusion of a new study of over 38,000 patients with mild, low-risk hypertension (blood pressure 140-159 / 90-99 mm Hg not treated with drugs). And it's important to note that last year the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology issued a joint recommendation to introduce blood pressure treatment for patients who read 130/80 mm Hg or more. Previously, the recommendation threshold was 140/90.

The researchers conducted an observational study of 38,000 patients over 15 years of age. At first, none of them received any medication for hypertension. They then compared those who were eventually treated with drugs to those who had never received treatment. The researchers reported in JAMA that those taking antihypertensive medications did not have a lower risk of heart attack or stroke than those who had not received any treatment.

However, those in the treatment group had an increased risk of hypotension (very low blood pressure), fainting, and kidney damage.

The results indicate that "physicians should be cautious when considering hypertension treatment in this group and therefore encourage a conversation between a patient and their doctor to decide how best to treat this condition." ", lead author, James Sheppard, PhD, Oxford University. , said in a statement.

"Younger patients, in particular, may prefer to adopt lifestyle changes to lower their blood pressure, rather than commit to taking antihypertensives for many years to come."