Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (827 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Persistently high systemic arterial blood pressure. Based on multiple readings (blood pressure determination), hypertension is currently defined as when systolic pressure is consistently greater than 140 mm Hg or when diastolic pressure is consistently 90 mm Hg or more.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Blood Pressure, High; Blood Pressures, High; High Blood Pressure; High Blood Pressures.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Vascular Diseases
- Narrower topics
- Essential Hypertension; Hypertension, Malignant; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypertension, Renal; Hypertensive Crisis; Hypertensive Retinopathy; Masked Hypertension; White Coat Hypertension
- See also
- Antihypertensive Agents; Vascular Resistance
Related concepts
- Blood Pressure
- Blood Pressure Determination
- Systolic Pressure
- Diastolic Pressure
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 342,117 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Hypertension” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 54,671 of them (16.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 143,072 records.
Reviews account for 51,618 records (15.1%) and meta-analyses for 4,505. Randomized controlled trials number 15,932 (4.7%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 143,072 |
| 2000-2009 | 63,157 |
| 2010-2019 | 81,217 |
| 2020 onward | 54,671 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 51,618 | 15.1% |
| Meta-analyses | 4,505 | 1.3% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 15,932 | 4.7% |
Method: PubMed query "Hypertension"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cardiovascular medicine
Cardiovascular medicine has an unusually large body of randomized trials, so the type of outcome matters: hard clinical events such as death, heart attack and stroke carry more weight than changes in blood pressure, cholesterol or imaging markers that only predict risk. Observational studies can show associations but are confounded by age, lifestyle and other illness. Check whether a result is about prevention or treatment, the baseline risk of participants, and the absolute rather than only the relative size of any benefit.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
Efficacy and safety of zilebesiran in adults with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundHypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, yet global control rates remain low.
- Closing excerpt
- However, evidence remains limited by small sample sizes and reliance on placebo comparators, and larger trials with active antihypertensive controls are needed to validate long-term efficacy and safety.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (299 words)
BackgroundHypertension is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, yet global control rates remain low. Zilebesiran, an investigational RNA interference therapy, targets angiotensinogen to modulate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. While previous reviews exist, updated evidence is needed to better characterize its efficacy and safety.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted using MeSH and free-text terms. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias using RoB 2.0. A random-effects model was applied in RevMan 5.4, with heterogeneity evaluated using I² statistics.ResultsFour studies involving 1,412 adults with mild to moderate hypertension were included. The primary outcome, placebo-adjusted change in office systolic blood pressure (SBP), showed a pooled mean difference (MD) of -7.16 mmHg (95% CI: -13.63 to -0.70). Secondary outcomes demonstrated significant reductions in 24-hour ambulatory SBP (MD: -9.92 mmHg; 95% CI: -18.74 to -1.10), daytime SBP (MD: -9.76 mmHg; 95% CI: -19.46 to -0.06), nighttime SBP (MD: -9.95 mmHg; 95% CI: -16.71 to -3.19), and 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD: -7.27 mmHg; 95% CI: -11.13 to -3.41). In subgroup analysis by follow-up duration, the reduction in daytime SBP was significantly greater at 3 months than at 6 months (P = 0.02), suggesting a potential attenuation of the antihypertensive effect over time. Zilebesiran markedly reduced angiotensinogen levels (MD: -1.00; 95% CI: -1.15 to -0.85). Overall adverse events were significantly more frequent with Zilebesiran compared with placebo (OR: 1.46), including increased risks of hyperkalemia and injection-site reactions, while serious adverse events did not differ significantly between groups.ConclusionOverall, zilebesiran produced significant and consistent BP reductions, especially in ambulatory measures, with a favorable safety profile. However, evidence remains limited by small sample sizes and reliance on placebo comparators, and larger trials with active antihypertensive controls are needed to validate long-term efficacy and safety.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42747486 · DOI · PMC13582068
Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitor Use and Mortality in Older Hypertensive Patients With and Without Dementia: A Nationwide Registry-Based Cohort Study [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Cardiovascular risk factors are often undertreated in patients with dementia.
- Closing excerpt
- These observational findings support continued attention to evidence-based hypertension treatment in patients with dementia.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (219 words)
Cardiovascular risk factors are often undertreated in patients with dementia. Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASI) are first-line treatments for hypertension. We examined the association between RASI and all-cause mortality in hypertensive patients with and without dementia, comparing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB); and selected individual agents. This nationwide register-based cohort study included data from Swedish national registries 2007-2018. The study included 158 176 hypertensive patients with exposure to RASI medications (21 152 RASI users and 137,024 non-users), after excluding prevalent users. Propensity score matching was used to balance measured confounders. Cox regressions compared mortality risk among RASI users versus non-users, ACEI users versus ARB users, and users of enalapril, ramipril, losartan, and candesartan versus other RASI users. RASI use was associated with lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio[HR] 0.93, 95% confidence interval[CI] 0.91-0.95, p< 0.001) in the full cohort, and among patients with dementia (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.92). Compared to ACEI, ARB were associated with lower mortality in the full cohort (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.85-0.96), but results were not significant in patients with dementia. The comparison of the individual drugs were consistent with class-level findings. RASI use was associated with lower all-cause mortality among older hypertensive patients, including those with dementia. These observational findings support continued attention to evidence-based hypertension treatment in patients with dementia.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42625529 · DOI · PMC13494666
Visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure variability, blood pressure treatment intensity, and cognitive decline [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- IntroductionVisit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) may be associated with cognitive decline beyond mean blood pressure (BP), but its relevance across treatment contexts remains uncertain.
- Closing excerpt
- The exploratory treatment-context pattern warrants prospective confirmation.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (171 words)
IntroductionVisit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) may be associated with cognitive decline beyond mean blood pressure (BP), but its relevance across treatment contexts remains uncertain.MethodsWe pooled individual-participant data from Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Memory in Diabetes (ACCORD-MIND) and Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial Memory and Cognition in Decreased Hypertension (SPRINT-MIND) (n = 11,104). Participants had baseline and follow-up cognitive testing and ≥3 BP measurements from 3 months onwards. The primary exposure was systolic BP variation independent of the mean (SBP-VIM). The primary outcome was annualized change in standardized Digit Symbol Substitution or Coding Test Z-scores.ResultsEach 10% increment in SBP-VIM was independently associated with faster annual cognitive decline (β = -0.008 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.014 to -0.003) after adjustment including mean SBP. Associations were observed in the intensive but not standard BP treatment arms of both trials, although the pooled interaction was not statistically significant (p = 0.054).DiscussionHigher systolic BPV was associated with accelerated cognitive decline independently of mean BP. The exploratory treatment-context pattern warrants prospective confirmation.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42535681 · DOI · PMC13426027
Medical gases and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: therapeutic mechanisms and research advances [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy pose a serious threat to the health of both mothers and infants, yet the range of available clinical treatments is limited.
- Closing excerpt
- While this review suggests that medical gas therapy provides new avenues for research and potential applications in the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, it also highlights the need for further basic and clinical studies to clarify their precise mechanisms.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (138 words)
Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy pose a serious threat to the health of both mothers and infants, yet the range of available clinical treatments is limited. This review summarizes the mechanisms and recent advances in the use of medical gases, such as nitric oxide, hyperbaric oxygen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, in the treatment of this condition. These gaseous molecules have unique protective effects, including regulating vascular tone, improving placental blood perfusion and inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. However, their clinical application faces major challenges, including precise dose control, optimization of delivery methods and assessment of long-term safety. While this review suggests that medical gas therapy provides new avenues for research and potential applications in the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, it also highlights the need for further basic and clinical studies to clarify their precise mechanisms.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42734462 · DOI · PMC13667357
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Effects of Catheter-Based Renal Denervation in Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [5]
- Research article Optimal Antihypertensive Systolic Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [6]
- Research article Semaglutide and blood pressure: an individual patient data meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Blood pressure-lowering efficacy of antihypertensive drugs and their combinations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials [8]
- Research article Effect of CPAP therapy on blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a worldwide individual patient data meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Blood Pressure, Antihypertensive Use, and Late-Life Alzheimer and Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis [10]
References
- Hussain M, Hassan M, Sohaib A, Ahmed T, Khan S, Hannan A, et al.. Efficacy and safety of zilebesiran in adults with hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. . 2026. PMID 42747486 · DOI · PMC13582068
- Villa Lopez M, Hoang MT, Xu H, Norgren J, Petek B, Secnik J, et al.. Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitor Use and Mortality in Older Hypertensive Patients With and Without Dementia: A Nationwide Registry-Based Cohort Study. . 2026. PMID 42625529 · DOI · PMC13494666
- Qiao Y, Sun Z, Ji X, Markus HS, Zhao W. Visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure variability, blood pressure treatment intensity, and cognitive decline. . 2026. PMID 42535681 · DOI · PMC13426027
- Xu Z, Tian G, Zhou D, Wu F. Medical gases and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: therapeutic mechanisms and research advances. . 2027. PMID 42734462 · DOI · PMC13667357
- Vukadinović D, Lauder L, Kandzari DE, Bhatt DL, Kirtane AJ, Edelman ER, et al.. Effects of Catheter-Based Renal Denervation in Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Circulation. 2024. PMID 39355923 · DOI · PMC11560572
- Whelton PK, O'Connell S, Mills KT, He J. Optimal Antihypertensive Systolic Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Hypertension. 2024. PMID 39263736 · DOI · PMC11483200
- Kennedy C, Hayes P, Cicero AFG, Dobner S, Le Roux CW, McEvoy JW, et al.. Semaglutide and blood pressure: an individual patient data meta-analysis. Eur Heart J. 2024. PMID 39217502 · DOI · PMC11458150
- Wang N, Salam A, Pant R, Kumar A, Dhurjati R, Haghdoost F, et al.. Blood pressure-lowering efficacy of antihypertensive drugs and their combinations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Lancet. 2025. PMID 40885583 · DOI
- Pengo MF, Schwarz EI, Barbé F, Cistulli PA, Drager LF, Fava C, et al.. Effect of CPAP therapy on blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a worldwide individual patient data meta-analysis. Eur Respir J. 2025. PMID 39401854 · DOI
- Lennon MJ, Lipnicki DM, Lam BCP, Crawford JD, Schutte AE, Peters R, et al.. Blood Pressure, Antihypertensive Use, and Late-Life Alzheimer and Non-Alzheimer Dementia Risk: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis. Neurology. 2024. PMID 39141884 · DOI · PMC11329294
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.