Perspectiva clínica sobre el tratamiento antihipertensivo en adultos con hipertensión grado 1 y riesgo cardiovascular bajo a moderado: consulta internacional de expertos

[RESUMEN]. La hipertensión arterial es el principal factor de riesgo de la carga global de las enfermedades. Una pregunta en debate es si la hipertensión arterial grado 1 (140–159/90–99 mm Hg) con riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) total bajo (mortalidad cardiovascular < 1% a los 10 años) a moderado (mortalidad cardiovascular > 1% y < 5% a los 10 años) debe ser tratada con agentes antihipertensivos. Un proceso de consulta virtual internacional fue realizado para resumir las opiniones de los expertos seleccionados. Después del análisis holístico de todos los elementos epidemiológicos, clínicos, psicosociales y de salud pública, este proceso de consulta llegó al siguiente consenso para adultos hipertensos < 80 años de edad: 1) La interrogante, de si el tratamiento medicamentoso en la hipertensión grado 1 debe ser precedido por un periodo de algunas semanas o meses, durante el cual solo se recomienden medidas sobre el estilo de vida no está basada en evidencia, pero el consenso de opinión es reservar un periodo para solo cambios en el estilo de vida únicamente en los pacientes con hipertensión grado 1 “aislada” (hipertensión grado 1 no complicada con RCV total absoluto bajo, y sin otros factores de RCV mayores ni modificadores del riesgo). 2) El inicio del tratamiento antihipertensivo medicamentoso en pacientes con hipertensión grado 1 y RCV absoluto moderado no debe demorarse. 3) Los hombres ≥ 55 años y las mujeres ≥ 60 años con hipertensión grado 1 no complicada deben ser automáticamente clasificados dentro de la categoría de RCV total absoluto moderado, incluso en ausencia de otros factores de riesgo mayores y modificadores del riesgo. 4) Las estatinas deben tenerse en cuenta junto con la terapia antihipertensiva, independientemente de los valores de colesterol, en pacientes con hipertensión grado 1 y RCV moderado.

[ABSTRACT]. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for disease burden globally. An unresolved question is whether grade 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99 mmHg) with low (cardiovascular mortality < 1% at 10 years) to moderate (cardiovascular mortality > 1% and < 5% at 10 years) absolute total cardiovascular risk (CVR) should be treated with antihypertensive agents. A virtual international consultation process was undertaken to summarize the opinions of select experts. After holistic analysis of all epidemiological, clinical, psychosocial, and public health elements, this consultation process reached the following consensus in hypertensive adults aged < 80 years: (1) The question of whether drug treatment in grade 1 should be preceded by a period of some weeks or months during which only life style measures are recommended cannot be evidence based, but the consensus opinion is to have a period of lifestyle alone reserved only to patients with grade 1 “isolated” hypertension (grade 1 uncomplicated hypertension with low absolute total CVR, and without other major CVR factors and risk modifiers). (2)The initiation of antihypertensive drug therapy in grade 1 hypertension with moderate absolute total CVR should not be delayed. (3) Men ≥ 55 years and women ≥ 60 years with uncomplicated grade1 hypertension should automatically be classified within the moderate absolute total CVR category, even in the absence of other major CVR factors and risk modifiers. (4) Statins should be considered along with blood-pressure lowering therapy, irrespective of cholesterol levels, in patients with grade 1 hypertensive with moderate CVR.

Clinical Perspective on Antihypertensive Drug Treatment in Adults With Grade 1 Hypertension and Low-to-Moderate Cardiovascular Risk: An International Expert Consultation.

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for disease burden globally. An unresolved question is whether grade 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99mmHg) with low (cardiovascular mortality <1% at 10 years) to moderate (cardiovascular mortality ≥1% and <5% at 10 years) absolute total cardiovascular risk (CVR) should be treated with antihypertensive agents. A virtual international consultation process was undertaken to summarize the opinions of select experts. After holistic analysis of all epidemiological, clinical, psychosocial, and public health elements, this consultation process reached the following consensus in hypertensive adults aged <80 years: (1) The question of whether drug treatment in grade 1 should be preceded by a period of some weeks or months during which only lifestyle measures are recommended cannot be evidence based, but the consensus opinion is to have a period of lifestyle alone reserved only to patients with grade 1 "isolated" hypertension (grade 1 uncomplicated hypertension with low absolute total CVR, and without other major CVR factors and risk modifiers). (2) The initiation of antihypertensive drug therapy in grade 1 hypertension with moderate absolute total CVR should not be delayed. (3) Men ≥55 years and women ≥60 years with uncomplicated grade 1 hypertension should automatically be classified within the moderate absolute total CVR category, even in the absence of other major CVR factors and risk modifiers. (4) Statins should be considered along with blood-pressure lowering therapy, irrespective of cholesterol levels, in patients with grade 1 hypertensive with moderate CVR.

Effects of immediate versus delayed antihypertensive therapy on outcome in the Systolic Hypertension in Europe Trial.

BACKGROUND: To assess the impact of immediate versus delayed antihypertensive treatment on the outcome of older patients with isolated systolic hypertension, we extended the double-blind placebo-controlled Systolic Hypertension in Europe (Syst-Eur) trial by an open-label follow-up study lasting 4 years. METHODS: The Syst-Eur trial included 4695 randomized patients with minimum age of 60 years and an untreated blood pressure of 160-219 mmHg systolic and below 95 mmHg diastolic. The double-blind trial ended after a median follow-up of 2.0 years (range 1-97 months). Of 4409 patients still alive, 3517 received open-label treatment consisting of nitrendipine (10-40 mg daily) with the possible addition of enalapril (5-20 mg daily), hydrochlorothiazide (12.5-25 mg daily), or both add-on drugs. Non-participants (n = 892) were also followed up. RESULTS: Median follow-up increased to 6.1 years. Systolic pressure decreased to below 150 mmHg (target level) in 2628 participants (75.0%). During the 4-year open-label follow-up, stroke and cardiovascular complications occurred at similar frequencies in patients formerly randomized to placebo and those continuing active treatment. These rates were similar to those previously observed in the active-treatment group during the double-blind trial. Considering the total follow-up of 4695 randomized patients, immediate compared with delayed antihypertensive treatment reduced the occurrence of stroke and cardiovascular complications by 28% (P = 0.01) and 15% (P = 0.03), respectively, with a similar tendency for total mortality (13%, P = 0.09). In 492 diabetic patients, the corresponding estimates of long-term benefit (P < 0.02) were 60, 51 and 38%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Antihypertensive treatment can achieve blood pressure control in most older patients with isolated systolic hypertension. Immediate compared with delayed treatment prevented 17 strokes or 25 major cardiovascular events per 1000 patients followed up for 6 years. These findings underscore the necessity of early treatment of isolated systolic hypertension.

Results of antihypertensive treatment trials in the elderly.

The prevalence of arterial hypertension is age-dependent, and with the prolongation of life expectancy the number of elderly subjects with arterial hypertension is very relevant. Epidemiologic studies have shown that arterial hypertension is a risk factor in elderly patients and therefore the physician must know if the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic reduction of blood pressure values is associated with a corresponding decrease in systolic-diastolic or isolated systolic hypertension. Clinical trials have shown that the lowering of blood pressure values is commonly associated with a decrease in cardiovascular events. So far, the reduction of blood pressure per se appears more relevant to the cardiovascular benefit than does a particular class of antihypertensive agents. The benefit of antihypertensive treatment has been shown up to the age of 80 years, while there are no clear indications of a benefit in persons older than 80 years. While sufficient data suggest that a diastolic blood pressure between 80 and 90 mm Hg is associated with a clear benefit in elderly patients, the data in support of a systolic reduction below 140 mm Hg require further direct confirmation.