Blood Pressure Treatment Targets in People with Prior Transient Ischemic Attack or Stroke

The optimal intensity of long-term blood pressure (BP) lowering in people with histories of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke is unclear. In this randomized trial conducted in U.K. primary care practices, researchers compared standard and intensive systolic BP treatment targets in 529 patients (mean age, 72) with prior TIAs or strokes and baseline systolic BPs ≥125 mm Hg. The standard target was <140 mm Hg, and the intensive target was <130 mm Hg (or 10-mm Hg reduction when baseline was <140 mm Hg). During the 12-month study, BP was monitored and antihypertensive drug treatment was adjusted accordingly. The study goal was to examine how these targets were managed in primary care practices, not to examine cardiovascular outcomes.

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