Intensive Blood Pressure Control Protects the Heart Without a Detected Increase in Kidney Failure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and kidney disease. Because hypertension often produces no obvious symptoms, regular measurement is important even for people who feel healthy. The reported research examined whether more intensive blood-pressure control could reduce cardiovascular risk without causing additional kidney-related harm. This is an important clinical question because blood-pressure targets must balance the benefits of reducing strain on the heart and blood vessels against possible side effects, including dizziness, low blood pressure and changes in kidney function. The report is encouraging, but the appropriate blood-pressure target varies with age, other medical conditions, medications and an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease. Patients should not increase medication doses or change treatment targets independently. Clinicians may need to monitor blood pressure, kidney function and electrolytes after treatment adjustments.