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 blood pressure after a standardized cycle ergometer exercise test. The results of the study, reported in Hypertension (December 2004), indicated that systolic pressure >195 mm Hg following 2 minutes of recovery was connected with a 1.7-fold increased risk of heart attack. Each 10-mm-Hg increase after 2 minutes was associated with a 7% greater risk of heart attack. The participants with the greatest difference in systolic blood pressure between rest and recovery had a 39% higher risk of heart attack, compared with men with the smallest difference.