Individuals with systolic blood pressure at the 140 mm Hg level are usually satisfied by that number. They may be more concerned about the risks of carrying around too much body fat.
Now, however, there's new evidence that systolic pressure of 120 brings lower risks for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and erectile dysfunction. The evidence shows that high blood pressure is the heart's worst enemy.
The higher risks were reinforced by the SPRINT trial, which was presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association. The trial was a large study of the effects 140 mm Hg blood pressure compared with 120 or below. Systolic pressure, represents the heart as it contracts and pumps blood to the rest of the body.
The researchers randomly assigned 9,300 hypertensive patients over age 50 to either the 140 or the 120 group.
Results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Those who were close to 120 had significantly lower rates of premature heart-related death and death from any cause. They reduced their risk of heart failure by 38 percent and death from heart problems by 43 percent when compared to the 140s.
Dr. Paul Whelton of Tulane University, chairman of the SPRINT trial said, "Overall we deem that the benefits of lower blood pressure far outweigh any potential for risk."
Major organizations are considering the recommendation for reducing systolic pressure to 120. It could be the beginning of the new normal.
Nearly one in three Americans has hypertension, one reason heart disease is the top killer of both men and women in the United States.