Controversial new blood pressure guidelines aren't one-size-fits-all

New guidelines tackle a question many
older adults on blood pressure medication face:
How low should you go? But finding the right
blood pressure might not be so straightforward.
The latest guidelines , released yesterday by two
physicians' groups, have already drawn criticism
for how high they set targets for adults 60 and
older, even in light of recent data that some
patients, especially those at higher risk for stroke
and heart attack, may benefit from lower blood
pressures.
According to the new guidelines, those with a
history of stroke or heart attack should aim for a
target systolic blood pressure below 140, the
lower limit for what is considered high blood
pressure. Otherwise, the majority without these
risk factors should be treated to achieve a number
below 150. If their numbers fall between 140 and
150, still considered high by many doctors, it may
not be worth treating them at all.
"It's about weighing the harms and the benefits,"
said Dr. Devan Kansagara, an internist at the VA
Portland Health Care System, who co-led an
analysis of existing studies , also released
yesterday, that provided the basis for these
recommendations.