Lessons learned from Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The optimal blood pressure (BP) goal during treatment of hypertension has been controversial. In this report, recent articles that elaborate on this issue are reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: Results from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) have suggested substantial benefits from more intensive BP lowering than is recommended in current US BP management guidelines. SUMMARY: Increasing evidence suggests that intensive BP lowering provides a cost-effective means to improve health in many adults with high BP. SPRINT provides the most convincing confirmation, but experience in other trials, alone and in pooled analyses augments and broadens the evidence base to patient groups who were not included in SPRINT. Implementation trials to document feasibility and effectiveness of SPRINT-like interventions in routine practice, including in resource-constrained settings, are warranted.