A new study published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet reveals that over 40% of people with high blood pressure may spontaneously recover from the condition without treatment. This finding challenges the traditional belief that high blood pressure is a chronic disease that requires lifelong medication management.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the most common chronic diseases, often referred to as the “silent killer.” The condition typically develops quietly but poses significant risks for serious cardiovascular diseases and even death. The recent study conducted by scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and published in The Lancet has brought forth surprising discoveries about this condition.
Measuring blood pressure.
The study analyzed data from 2,760 participants aged between 33 and 99, drawn from two large studies: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). All participants had high blood pressure but had never used medication for treatment. Results showed that 42% of participants had their blood pressure return to normal levels after 6 years of monitoring, simultaneously reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease by 34%.
This outcome contradicts the common notion that high blood pressure is a chronic illness that must be treated with medication for life. According to researchers, several factors that contribute to lowering blood pressure include quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI).
Although this is merely an observational study and cannot establish a causal relationship, this finding opens up new avenues for personalized management of high blood pressure. Scientists suggest that for some patients, implementing non-pharmacological interventions in the early years following diagnosis may be a reasonable option.
However, researchers also emphasize the need for further in-depth studies to accurately identify which factors contribute to lowering blood pressure. This research challenges traditional views on the treatment of high blood pressure and offers hope to millions of patients around the world.
