Effect of intensive versus standard blood pressure control on cardiovascular outcomes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Ann MedApr 30, 2026 (epub)
Qiu Gao, Yanni Ji
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of intensive versus standard blood pressure control on cardiovascular outcomes in 156,933 hypertensive patients across 31 randomized controlled trials. Intensive control significantly reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.75-0.84; p < 0.001), myocardial infarction, stroke, all-cause mortality, and cardiac death compared to standard control.
Key findings
- Intensive blood pressure control reduced major cardiovascular events by 20% (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.75-0.84; p < 0.001).
- Myocardial infarction risk decreased by 17% with intensive control (RR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.76-0.91; p < 0.001).
- Stroke risk was reduced by 24% (RR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.70-0.82; p < 0.001).
- All-cause mortality decreased by 13% (RR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.83-0.92; p < 0.001).
Why it matters
The findings suggest that achieving lower blood pressure targets can significantly lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events and mortality in hypertensive patients, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment strategies.