Overview

• Researchers synthesized nearly 500 randomized trials involving over 100,000 participants to estimate expected systolic blood pressure reductions for specific drugs, doses, and combinations.
• The calculator classifies options as low, moderate, or high intensity to align therapy with a patient’s required reduction and is publicly available at bpmodel.org.
• A single antihypertensive typically lowers systolic pressure by about 8–9 mmHg, while many patients need 15–30 mmHg decreases that often require combination therapy.
• The authors say highly variable blood pressure readings can mislead stepwise titration, and they plan clinical trials to evaluate calculator-guided prescribing.
• The Lancet publication underscores the global burden of hypertension and includes disclosures of institutional interests related to fixed-dose combinations and associated patents.