The results of this study will grow the small body of evidence supporting this hypothesis. Called SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), the study findings will be used to reevaluate the optimal blood pressure for patients and have the potential to establish new guidelines for healthcare providers. SPRINT will enroll approximately 7,500 participants, age 55 or older, with systolic blood pressure of 130 mm Hg or higher. All participants will have a history of cardiovascular disease or be at high risk for heart disease by having at least one additional risk factor, except diabetes; between 40- and 50 percent will have chronic kidney disease. Blacks and other minorities will comprise at least 30 percent of the study. The Case Western Reserve CCN will recruit approximately 1,500 patients.

A very important sub-study of SPRINT will evaluate how the higher versus lower blood pressure goals affect cognition function and dementia. Alan Lerner, M.D., Professor of Neurology, and Director of the Memory and Cognition Center at UHCMC will lead the Case Western Reserve University efforts for this cognitive functioning sub-study, called SPRINT-MIND.

Source: Case Western Reserve University