Blood pressure level and incidence of myocardial infarction among patientstreated for hypertension

Objectives. This study examined the relationship between achieved blood pi- assure and risk of myocardial infarction among patients treated for hyperte nsion. Methods. Blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors were assessed among 718 myocardial infarction case patients and 2136 matched controls. Results. Blood pressure level was directly related to risk of myocardial in farction. Patients with treated hypertension who had mild elevations in blo od pressure accounted for a larger share of the excess myocardial infarctio n incidence than those who had higher blood pressure readings. Conclusions. Achieving normotensive levels in treated hypertensive patients with uncontrolled blood pressure might prevent more than 15% of myocardial infarctions in the treated hypertensive population.