Association of Systolic Blood Pressure Levels with Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults Taking Antihypertensive Treatment in the REGARDS Study

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in older adults [1]. Hypertension is present in 69% of patients with a first myocardial infarction [2], in 77% of patients with a first stroke [2], in 74% of patients with congestive heart failure [2], and in 60% of patients with peripheral arterial disease [3]. The Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) showed reduction in cardiovascular events in elderly patients whose Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) was lowered to between 140-145 mm Hg by antihypertensive drug therapy [4]. The Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET) showed a reduction in cardiovascular events and in all-cause mortality in patients aged 80 years and older whose SBP was reduced to between 140-145 mm Hg by antihypertensive drug therapy [5].