I am happy to report that my alert SPRINT subject grasped the point rather quickly. As a retired engineer, he understood the importance of obtaining definitive data rather than relying forevermore upon the best guesses of well-meaning experts in the field. Clinical guidelines are useful as far as they go, but they are heavily dependent upon the generation of clinically valid data from randomized clinical trials. My SPRINT subject left the clinic with a renewed commitment to getting his systolic blood pressure down to the assigned goal of 120 mm Hg. All of us should follow his example and try mightily to keep in mind the distinction between clinical guidelines and actual data generated from randomized clinical trials.
Author disclosures
The author reports no actual or potential conflicts of interest with regard to this article.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Federal Practitioner, Frontline Medical Communications Inc., the U.S. Government, or any of its agencies. This article may discuss unlabeled or investigational use of certain drugs. Please review the complete prescribing information for specific drugs or drug combinations—including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects—before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.