A large meta-analysis published in the European Heart Journal has found that spending more time with blood pressure within the target range recommended by the 2024 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines is strongly associated with lower risks of death and major cardiovascular events. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABP) and the “percentage of time in target range” (PTTR) are considered more precise measures of blood pressure control than traditional readings.

Researchers analyzed data from 14,230 individuals across 14 population cohorts. The study defined the non-elevated blood pressure as <115/65 mmHg for 24-hour readings, <120/70 mmHg during the day, and <110/60 mmHg at night. The median 24-hour PTTR was 18%, which is equal to just 4.3 hours per day. The median follow-up period was 10.9 years.

The study reported that higher PTTR was linked to substantially lower mortality and cardiovascular event rates. Participants in the highest PTTR quartile experienced a reduction in mortality rates from 21.3 to 16.1 per 1,000 person-years.

The cardiovascular events decreased from 20.3 to 11.3 per 1,000 person-years. There was a 43% lower risk of death and a 70% lower risk of major cardiovascular events in those with higher PTTR.