When to treat High Blood pressure in 60 years and older

Heart health and blood vessels
1

fyi: 'The recently updated guidelines of the Joint National Committee on the Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC8) recommended greater leniency in treating hypertension in individuals over the age of 60.'

'They recommended treatment only if the blood pressure is above 150/90 rather than the decades-old standard of 140/90. This guideline could affect the treatment of millions, as most people over 60 have hypertension.'

If you google JNC 8, you should get the complete report.

(the guidelines were issued in Dec 2013, as I read from other websites)

 

2

we have the NHI here to keep an eye on us...UK

different strokes for different folks

cheers

geof

3

not sure that still follows now, after Sprint trial?? am in uk and tighter readings than that needed now, and esp for certain groups

4

Wish I'd known that 5 years ago. I was told however old you are 120/80 is what to aim for.

I suppose that isn't the same as the cut off point at which to start medication but once you are on meds you are on them forever I understand.

For the record I'm 75 and take Losartan 50 mg and keep the average down to well below 120/80. I hate taking medication and even with diabetes looming I still hate it!

5

Hi, Jane, just out of interest as i am late 60's and have started on meds over the last 18 months, difficult finding ok ones, what dont you like? the side effects  re Losartan?

6

This is a follow up to my earlier post 'When to treat HBP in 60+':

On Jan 16th, 2018 b'f I read the JNC 8 report, I issued the following to my friends - 

>>> This is my final attempt getting off the blood pressure medication (Norvasc/Amlodipine 5mg) which I started in 2001. 

On Dec 20th, I started once again ​on my experiment: instead of the whole 5mg, use only 1/2 of the 5mg amlodipine ​o.d. 

Day #20, continued with the half but every 36 hours instead of every 24 hours.

Day #23 (Jan 12th) had the final 2.5mg blood pressure medication.

I ​have been doing my daily routine on the treadmill and cycle, and I must continue to do so.

​I know today is only day #27 and only 4 days since I completely stopped, but BP is under control.​ Exercise and of course diet (no sugars or flour) plays an important role! <<<

I am not in the medical field and my doctor is not aware of my experiment, just an average bloke: 66 years, 155lb, BMI 22.4.

Jan 24th,18: It is now 12 days since the last 2.5mg amlodipine which should now be totally out of my system; BP 135/78 pulse of 57 and I expect my BP to remain under 140/90.

I am in Ontario, Canada and the 'rule' is 120/80 for all ages but I am not convinced.

My doctor has been trying to put me on statins but my cholesterol/HDL ratio is 3.5 and triglycerides is 0.74 mmol/L (76 mg/dl). HDL 1.69 mmol/L (65 mg/dl).

cheers

 

7

i have just read an article on the pulse difference being a valid number as well

40

that is systole minus diastole

120/80  140/100

what does the forum think or know...