Changes in blood pressure over time may be used to identify patients at highest risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a study led by researchers at Imperial College London and published in the European Heart Journal. It is said that there is..

The study found that patients whose blood pressure varies widely from visit to visit may be at higher risk of heart attack or stroke than those whose blood pressure is high but less variable and controlled by medication. ing.

large scale analysis

Researchers analyzed data from the ASCOT studyfollowed over 8,000 hypertensive patients in the UK for over 20 years.

Their analysis revealed that variation in systolic blood pressure (the larger of the two numbers used to measure blood pressure) is a predictor of stroke, heart attack, and atrial fibrillation. High blood pressure variability was also a strong predictor of risk at all levels of mean blood pressure, whether low or high.

The research team calls for changes in medical guidelines to focus not just on measuring a patient’s blood pressure, but on how it changes from visit to visit, to intervene early and reduce risks. .

The researchers also highlighted that the data from this trial shows that one of the blood pressure drugs, a drug called amlodipine, is effective in lowering blood pressure fluctuations and may help reduce risk. are doing.

our comments

Brian Williams, the company’s chief scientific and medical officer, said: “These findings once again highlight the predictive importance of blood pressure variability for heart attack and stroke risk.

“This study makes monitoring blood pressure fluctuations an important addition to regular health checkups and can help identify patients whose blood pressure appears to be well controlled but who remain at risk. suggests that it is possible.

“The future challenge identified by this study is how to reduce blood pressure fluctuations and smooth the blood pressure profile, beyond just lowering blood pressure itself, which is known to protect against heart attacks and strokes.

‘An estimated 30 per cent of adults in the UK – around 16 million adults – have high blood pressure. Checking your blood pressure and treating it if it’s elevated can help prevent heart attacks and strokes and save lives. It’s one of the most important things you can do.”

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