Association Between Blood Pressure Level and the Risk of Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Total Mortality

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Abstract
IN MIDDLE-AGED adults, the relationship between blood pressure level and risk of cardiovascular disease has aptly and traditionally been characterized as "continuous, graded, strong, independent, and etiologically significant."1 This judgment reflects findings from numerous studies, including the Framingham Heart Study,2,3 the screenees from the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial,1,4 and a major meta-analysis.5 Although the relationship may be stronger for systolic blood pressure (SBP) than for diastolic blood pressure (DBP),3,4 the association of blood pressure level with cardiovascular disease and the proven benefits of treatment with low-dose diuretics and β-blockers6 have formed the basis of the current US national guidelines on the detection and treatment of high blood pressure.7