Systolic Pressure Foresees Heart Risk

Researchers may have found a way to detect the risk of heart attack in men.In a study of 2336 men, aged 42 to 61, the researchers measured systolic bloodpressure after a standardized cycle ergometer exercise test. The results of thestudy, reported in Hypertension (December 2004), indicated that systolic pressure>195 mm Hg following 2 minutes of recovery was connected with a 1.7-foldincreased risk of heart attack. Each 10-mm-Hg increase after 2 minutes wasassociated with a 7% greater risk of heart attack. The participants with the greatestdifference in systolic blood pressure between rest and recovery had a 39%higher risk of heart attack, compared with men with the smallest difference.