American College of Cardiology recommend a goal of 130/80, which, according to an ACC analysis, meant 2.9 million more adults could be categorized as having hypertension.
The new study, published in the journal Hypertension, backs that lower threshold. Until now, it was unclear how much of a benefit would be seen with the lower limit.
“Our findings demonstrate a benefit of more intensive therapy aiming for blood pressure thresholds at 130/80 or below and should help resolve some ongoing confusion over optimal blood pressure targets for people with diabetes,” the study’s senior investigator J. Bill McEvoy said in a news release. McEvoy is a professor of preventive cardiology at the National University of Ireland, Galway Campus, and the Irish National Institute for Preventive Cardiology.
The measurement difference might seem small, but the stakes are huge.
Worldwide, more than 420 million people have
