Optimal office blood pressure levels in younger (<50 years old) Korean hypertensive patients: a nationwide cohort study in South Korea

Abstract

Background: 

It is unclear what thresholds and targets of office blood pressure (BP) for treatment are appropriate in younger (<50 years old) hypertensive patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate associations of office BP levels with major cardiovascular events (MACEs) in these patients.

Methods: 

Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, data of 98 192 younger (<50 years old) hypertensive patients having BP measurements available without any history of cardiovascular events from 2002 to 2011 were extracted. This cohort study evaluated associations of BP levels (<120/<70, 120–129/70–79, 130–139/80–89, 140–149/90–99, and ≥150/≥100 mmHg) with MACEs. The study outcome was MACE, a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure.

Results: 

In all patients, those treated with antihypertensive medication accounted for 34.7% and those who achieved BP less than 130/80 mmHg accounted for 35.5%. During a mean follow-up of 9.5 ± 2.8 years, 4918 (5%) MACEs were documented in our cohort. The risk of MACE was the lowest [adjusted hazard ratio: 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66–0.89] for those with BP level of less than 120/less than 70 mmHg. It was the highest (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% CI 1.83–2.19) for those with BP level of at least 150/at least 100 mmHg in comparison with those with BP level of 130–139/80–89 mmHg. These results were consistent for all age groups (20–29, 30–39, and 40–49 years) and both sexes.

Conclusion: 

Elevated BP level from less than 120 mmHg/less than 70 mmHg is significantly correlated with an increased risk of MACE in younger (<50 years old) Korean hypertensive patients. Lowering BP to less than 120 mmHg/less than 70 mmHg is needed for these patients.