If you’ve been tuning into Shortcut U over the past couple of years, you know that atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of death globally.
Thus far, I’ve allocated a lot of reading time and posts towards how lipidology (i.e. largely cholesterol-related metrics and metabolism) influences this leading killer; however, there are significant risk factors for ASCVD in addition to just LDL particle count (i.e. apo-B).
In this episode of the Talking Studies Series, I break down a pivotal study related to one such risk factor: blood pressure.
Specifically, I talk through the Sprint Research Group’s study, “A Randomized Trial of Intensive versus Standard Blood-Pressure Control,” where the researchers explored whether lowering blood pressure below 120 mmHg as compared to below 140 mmHg leads to better outcomes for individuals at increased risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event (i.e. heart attack, stroke, etc.).
Links from the video:
Main study discussed (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1511939)
World Health Organization Top Causes of Death in 2019
You and Your Hormones Aldosterone Article
Talking Studies #003: The SPRINT Blood Pressure Trial