Event Rate by Treatment Group - Table 4

Event Rate by Treatment Group, at 5 Years*
Event  Active Treatment Placebo
Stroke 52 82

*rate per 1,000

In addition, the relative risk was 0.75 for coronary heart disease and 0.87 for total deaths (Table 5). Clear-cut reduction in risk of stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease with treatment of ISH was thus demonstrated. The number needed to treat to prevent one stroke was 33 patients for five years. Or, 150 patients for 1 year.

The treatment used in this study was low dose diuretic (chlorthalideone) as Step I, and a beta-blocker as Step 2 (atenolol). This trial provided convincing evidence that these agents reduce death from cardiovascular disease in patients older than 60 with ISH.