Elevated systolic or diastolic pressure cause increased cardiovascular risk,and the absolute risk increase per mm Hg is greater at higher blood pressure,so that even modest reduction of severe hypertension can provide substantial benefit. Relative risk reduction from blood pressure reduction is similar across population with varying absolute risk, so the absolute benefit is greater in patients who are at higher risk independent of their hypertension (for example,patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia),and such patients would be expected to benefit from more aggressive treatment to a lower blood pressure goal