Does a blood pressure J curve exist for patients with chronic kidney disease?

Abstract

Aggressive reduction of blood pressure may increase cardiovascular events (the J-curve phenomenon) in certain populations. In this regard, most studies in patients with chronic kidney disease have shown a J curve for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and this phenomenon persists after adjusting for confounding factors. Since there is no evidence that a straighter blood pressure target (<130/70 mm Hg) could improve renal outcomes, the increased cardiovascular risk associated with extreme blood pressure reduction should be seen as undesirable. Moreover, the intensive control of blood pressure may induce an unintended reduction of renal function and this decrease, in turn, may increase cardiovascular risk.

Keywords: J curve; chronic kidney disease; hypertension.