Balancing Risks and Benefits: Individual Data Analysis of Intensive vs. Standard Blood Pressure Control on Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes

Highlight

• Intensive systolic blood pressure control (<120 or <130 mm Hg) significantly reduces major cardiovascular events compared to standard targets.
• Absolute cardiovascular risk reduction is approximately 1.7%, balanced by about 1.8% increased risk of adverse events including hypotension and renal complications.
• Net clinical benefit favors intensive blood pressure lowering, supporting guideline recommendations despite increased harms.
• Benefit-harm profile remains favorable across diverse patient populations, with a median follow-up of over three years.

Study Background