A new study has recommended that doctors should consider an aggressive approach while treating high blood pressure. The approach could provide help in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and death, according to the study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial.

Results of the study were beneficial, and NIH decided to stop the study about a year early than its scheduled date. Dr. Gary Gibbons, director of National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of NIH, said the study has shown that aggressive approach could be life-saving.

Dr. Mark Creager, American Heart Association president who was not part of the new study, praised the study: “The research is a possible roadmap to treatment strategies that will save a significant amount of lives”.

According to reports, more than 30% adult individuals in the United States have high blood pressure, which raises the risk of stroke, heart attacks, kidney failure and a number of other health conditions.

There are always two readings when you check your blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is when the measurement is less than 120 over 80. If the measurement reaches 140 over 90, it is considered as high blood pressure. According to study researchers, about 50% of diagnosed individuals had their blood pressure under control.

The researchers noticed drop of about 25% in death risk among patients who were aggressively treated. Adding to that, rates of cardiovascular problems were found to be dropped by about 30% in aggressively treated patients, according to the researchers.