Case in Point

Abstract

Epidemiologic and clinical trial data suggest that blood pressure in patients with hypertension who are at high risk for cardiovascular events because of coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, stroke, or heart failure should be reduced to < 140/90 mm Hg in patients aged < 80 years, and that systolic blood pressure should be reduced to 140 to 145 mm Hg, if tolerated, in patients aged ≥ 80 years. Studies on patients with coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and heart failure are discussed, supporting a blood pressure goal of < 140/90 mm Hg in patients aged < 80 years who are at high risk for cardiovascular events.