NHLBI IN THE PRESS

Study: Intensive blood pressure target could save over 100,000 US lives annually

Over 100,000 American lives could be saved annually if people lowered their blood pressure more dramatically than currently recommended, according to a new study. The findings are based on an analysis of the results from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), which in 2015 found that people with high blood pressure who met more intensive blood pressure levels of 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) versus 140 mm Hg (currently recommended) tended to have fewer heart-related deaths. The new study, published in Circulation, was partly funded by NHLBI.