New Blood Pressure Guidelines

Good news for patients with high blood pressure! New NIH guidelines for treatment of high blood pressure in adults have loosened tToilet boy 1129559_SMJPG_70A90449DA6058251he degree of control, particularly in elderly patients. We may need to discuss your particular situation to determine if your medication needs to be adjusted. This guideline was summarized earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The new guidelines are summarized below: If you are younger than 65 years old – Treatment with medication is recommended if your systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or higher, or your diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or higher
  • If you are 60 years or older – Treatment with medication is recommended if your systolic blood pressure is 150 mmHg or higher, or your diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or higher
  • At any age if you have chronic kidney disease or diabetes – Treatment with medication is recommended if your systolic blood pressure is 140 mmHg or higher, or your diastolic blood pressure is 90 mmHg or higher
These guidelines differ from previous recommendations in that the risk of excessive blood pressure control has been taken into account. Aggressive blood pressure control may be associated with dizziness, falls and cognitive problems. As always, it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle by controlling your weight, exercising, and restricting the intake of salt. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but is the greatest predictor of cardiovascular health. Above all, remember that these are only guidelines and each person must be evaluated individually. If you have any concerns or questions about your blood pressure, contact the office and make an appointment with me to discuss your particular situation.

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