New Blood Pressure Guidelines Raise the Bar for Taking Medications
Expert panel says treating some earlier with drugs shows little benefit, but other groups express concern
New Blood Pressure Guidelines Raise the Bar for Taking Medications
By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Fewer people should take medicine to control their high blood pressure, a new set of guidelines recommends.
Adults aged 60 or older should only take blood pressure medication if their blood pressure exceeds 150/90, which sets a higher bar for treatment than the current guideline of 140/90, according to the report, published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.