New Findings on Blood Pressure?

A study has shown that most people aged 50 and older who suffer from high blood pressure have elevated systolic blood pressure but normal diastolic blood pressure, a condition known as isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine (USA), was published in the March issue of Hypertension.

ISH places millions of people worldwide at risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and death. The study found that 24% of participants suffered from hypertension but nearly half were not being treated. The study also found that 80% of people aged 50 and over with hypertension suffered from ISH. These results suggest that doctors and patients need to increase emphasis on systolic blood pressure in the management of hypertension. Hypertension is defined in adults as blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg systolic or 90 mm Hg diastolic. The findings resulted from an analysis of nearly 20,000 individuals who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 1988-1994.

"Previously, focus was placed on diastolic blood pressure control in preventing cardiovascular risk. This study contributes to the developing body of research emphasizing the importance of controlling systolic blood pressure,” said Stanley S. Franklin, M.D., professor of medicine at UC, Irvine.



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