New warning issued on ‘healthy’blood pressure

Associated Press ^ | 14 May 2003

[Hal1950]

A new report says blood pressure levels once considered normal or borderline actually signal "prehypertension," and those people must take care to stave off full-blown high blood pressure.

WASHINGTON, May 14 — Millions of people who thought they had healthy blood pressure are about to get a surprise: The government says levels once considered normal or borderline actually signal “prehypertension,” and those people must take care to stave off full-blown high blood pressure.

IT’S A major change, in new federal guidelines being released Wednesday, that affects people with blood pressure as low as 120 over 80 — once thought to be a good level but now considered not good enough.

About 45 million Americans are in this prehypertensive range, says the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which issued the new recommendations. The change comes from recent scientific studies showing the risk of heart disease begins at blood pressures lower than previously thought.

Also in the guidelines:

Most people who already have high blood pressure will need at least two medications to control the dangerous disorder.

For the majority of patients, one of those drugs should be a cheap, old-fashioned diuretic.

Blood pressure is measured as two values and the first, or top, number in the reading is the most important for anyone over age 50 — something too few doctors and patients understand. If nothing else, that number should be below 140.

MORE AGGRESSIVE TREATMENT
The guidelines overall urge doctors to be far more aggressive in treating hypertension, noting that almost a third of people with high blood pressure don’t even know it. Plus, two-thirds of diagnosed patients don’t have the disease under control — too often because doctors hesitate to prescribe a second or third medication, said Dr. Daniel W. Jones of the American Heart Association, a co-author of the guidelines.

An estimated 50 million Americans have high blood pressure, often called the silent killer because it may not cause symptoms until the patient has suffered damage. It raises the risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, kidney damage, blindness and dementia.

High blood pressure measures 140 over 90 or more. That level hasn’t changed.

Until now, optimal blood pressure was considered 120 over 80 or lower; normal was up to 130 over 85; and levels above that were called borderline until patients reached the hypertension range. But the new guidelines classify normal blood pressure as below 120 over 80 — and readings anywhere from 120 over 80 up to 140 over 90 as prehypertensive.

[zlala]

This news just made my blood pressure go up.

[Frank_Discussion]

You've Got to Be Frickkin' Kidding Me ALERT!

[goodnesswins]

..."too often because doctors hesitate to prescribe a second or third medication, said Dr. Daniel W. Jones of the American Heart Association, a co-author of the guidelines."

I wonder what drug company is behind this? You don't need drugs to control MOST hypertension....you only need to eat right....lots of fiber (veggies) and less fast/junk food. (IMHO)

[Post Toasties]

When I was in my late teens I had low blood pressure, as low as 102/60 and, being tall (about 6' 6") would sometimes have partial blackouts when standing up suddenly.

[kailbo]

That's the first thing I thought when I read it.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

This always effects my BP.

[Gorzaloon]

I wonder what drug company is behind this?

Think of the billions the Helsinki Study has generated! Gemfibrizol, now Lipitor, etc. Simple, simple compounds, not at all difficult to make, selling for many times the price/gram of illicit cocaine.

What a windfall.

[Lil'freeper]

Good grief- is this going to be like the body mass index that gets re-normed every so often so that more people are considered 'ill' for whatever political or profit-driven reason?

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...For the majority of patients, one of those drugs should be a cheap, old-fashioned diuretic...

That would be beer, right? It's a cheap, readily available diuretic, and tastes good too.

I better head out and pick up a supply!

[texasbluebell]

I wonder what drug company is behind this?

That was my first thought too.

[sphinx]

It won't be long before the feds will notice that "life" is a precursor to "death" and demand intensive lifestyle intervention and close medical supervision from birth.

[LizardQueen]

Me three. This is nuts.

For most of my life I had really low blood pressure (90/60). If I stood up too fast I'd brown out. It's finally gone up some, varies from 110/70 to 120/80, and they say that the higher days are borderline hypertension and want to put me on meds? Just when I can finally stand up without keeling over?

Some drug company is gonna get real rich from this one, while thousands of people are going to stand up too quick and then hit the deck.

LQ

[NYFriend]

At last check, mine was 90/68, pulse 60.

[lucky7]

The people that make Plavix, they all ready have a handout, that shows these numbers, for people that have had a heart attack and stroke, nothing about eating right (fiber) or walking.

[cibco]

"Also in the guidelines:

Most people who already have high blood pressure will need at least two medications to control the dangerous disorder."

Follow the money. More drug sales and more doctor visits. With all the checks/tests you are supposed to get every (insert months/years here) to detect early warning signs of (insert long list of ailments/diseases here), after turning 40, your average person should be spending 6 months a year in the doctor's office. Should be comforting...

[Black Agnes]

This is all so odd. My great grandfather had bp of about 120/80 or thereabouts. He lived to be 102. Go figure.

[Steve_Seattle]

In about a month, I got my blood prssure down from 160/110 to 130/80 with diet and exercise, and if I never watched the news, it would probably be even lower.

[Jaxter]

"That would be beer, right? It's a cheap, readily available diuretic, and tastes good too."

Don't forget that it also makes you irresistible to women.