BP control may reduce premature death in kidney diseases

A stringent blood pressure control regime may reduce the potential risk of early death among individuals suffering with chronic kidney disease, revealed a study.

The study's findings, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, show that having a lower blood pressure target than the current recommended goal of 140/90 mm Hg was safe and associated with protection against premature death.

"The data that we provide include outcomes beyond the typical duration of clinical trials of blood pressure control and demonstrate the long-term safety of tighter blood pressure control, with potential benefits from a mortality standpoint in patients with known kidney disease," said Elaine Ku, Assistant Professor at University of California, San Francisco.

For the study, the team studied previous participants of two completed controlled trials of intensive blood pressure lowering.

Some showed that lowering systolic blood pressure to less than 120 mm Hg (which is far lower than the currently recommended goal) is beneficial for a healthy heart and its longevity.

On the other hand, other longer-term observational studies suggested that lower blood pressure levels may be harmful.