UC Irvine

Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, angina, and coronary heart disease. It is estimated that over one third of the world population is experiencing hypertension, however, only half of the hypertensive population had blood pressure under control. In 2017, ACC/AHA published an updated high blood pressure guideline and redefine people who had their systolic blood pressure between 130-140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure between 80-90 mmHg as having hypertension. The recommended treatment target became 130/80 mmHg instead of 140/90 mmHg. The aim of the study is to predict and compare the number of preventable CVD events if blood pressure can be successfully lowered to 140/90 mmHg and 130/80 mmHg, respectively, in an ideal scenario, using 2013-2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES). Around 385,000 CVD events could be potentially prevented in 10 years if blood pressures were controlled under 130/80 mmHg. Around 208,000 CVD events could be potentially prevented in 10 years the target was 140/90 mmHg. Middle-aged subgroups (50-69 years old), whites, Framingham high-risk subgroup (FRS > 20%), and comorbidity high-risk subgroup tended to have the highest increase in the number of preventable CVD events. Based on PAR, older persons, people who had FRS > 20%, and people who were in the comorbidity low-risk subgroup tended to benefit more than their respective comparison groups. This estimation provided us a with better understanding of the implications of the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline and the importance of controlling blood pressure to the new target.