Falls often lead to complications in the elderly that can be fatal. The researchers were also concerned about the potential for falls due to very low blood pressure. People in the 120 mmHg group also saw an increased incidence of non-major, but still significant, changes to their kidney function, including hospitalizations for kidney damage. The development of dementia was about the same in both groups. The group who had achieved systolic levels of 120 mmHg or less did see a lowered risk of heart disease events, and a lower likelihood of mild cognitive impairment. To these ends, the second group received what researchers considered “intensive” treatment to bring their systolic reading down below 120 mmHg. The scientists were also interested in seeing if cognitive or physical impairments would affect the benefits of any lower systolic measurement.

The researchers sought to determine if a more aggressive control of high blood pressure would benefit people’s health, lower their risk of heart disease events, cognitive decline, or death, or increase health risks in any way. The researchers randomly divided the participants into two equal groups, with one group receiving assistance in getting their systolic readings below 140 mmHg. The average baseline systolic blood pressure of the participants was approximately 142 mmHg. More than half of those included were regularly taking five or more medications. The mean age of the participants was 84, with about 3% older than 90.

The majority had three or more chronic health conditions. They included data from individuals who had experienced strokes, heart attacks, changes in kidney function, cognitive impairment, quality of life reduction, or who had died.Ībout 27% of them had a history of heart disease.

Researchers gathered information from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). The study’s findings come from a randomized trial of 1,167 participants. Using the SPRINT study for new guidelines

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