New blood pressure guidelines

[chesty]

God, is there anything out there that doesn't need medication or won't kill you! I mean really. All they did was add a new category. Calling it prehypertensive. Please, 99% of us fall into that category. Even with a perfect body!

Red flag raised over 'normal' blood pressure
New guidelines: Risk starts at lower levels than once thought
Wednesday, May 14, 2003 Posted: 10:00 AM EDT (1400 GMT)




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Story Tools



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RELATED
Interactive: New standards for blood pressure


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Interactive: Healthy heart guide
• New sign of heart disease risk?
• Heart health all in the family
• Patience may be more than virtue
• Federal hypertension info
• Journal of the American Medical Association

HEALTH LIBRARY


• Health Library
• Heart and Blood
• Heart-healthy eating

WASHINGTON (AP) -- 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.

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.

A new normal
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.

"We hope it's going to catch people's attention," Jones said of the new prehypertension category. "This is not to alarm people but simply deliver the message that ... they are at higher risk for going on to develop hypertension and they need to take action."

That doesn't mean medication. Instead, people with prehypertension should lose weight if they're overweight, get regular physical activity, avoid a salty diet and consume no more than two alcoholic drinks a day. All those factors increase blood pressure, the guidelines say.

Recent scientific studies show that risk of heart disease actually begins rising once blood pressure creeps above 115 over 75, said guideline co-author Ed Roccella, a hypertension specialist at the heart institute.

There's a doubling of risk for each 20-point rise in the top number, called the systolic pressure, or 10-point rise in the bottom number, the diastolic pressure.

"Most of us will have hypertension if we live long enough," said Roccella. The hope is that if people know they're prehypertensive -- even if they're a skinny 20-something with 120 over 80 readings today -- they'll make wiser lifestyle choices and thus stave off the blood-pressure creep that comes with age.

The guidelines will be published in next week's Journal of the American Medical Association, but because of their importance are being released early online Wednesday.

 

[40butpumpin]

Please, 99% of us fall into that category. Even with a perfect body!

Absolutely, this is the most rediculous thing I've seen in a while.

IMO this is just our good buddies in the pharmaceutical industry setting us up to make more money on hypertensive medications.

 

[Scarlett33]

My husband is a physician who is always bitching that BP meds are way, way over-prescribed because of drug company propaganda. Even when the bp is actually above normal, diet and exercise should be the first step.

 

[casavant]

World Death Rate Holding Steady At 100%

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND—World Health Organization officials expressed disappointment Monday at the group's finding that, despite the enormous efforts of doctors, rescue workers and other medical professionals worldwide, the global death rate remains constant at 100 percent.


Death, a metabolic affliction causing total shutdown of all life functions, has long been considered humanity's number one health concern. Responsible for 100 percent of all recorded fatalities worldwide, the condition has no cure.

"I was really hoping, what with all those new radiology treatments, rescue helicopters, aerobics TV shows and what have you, that we might at least make a dent in it this year," WHO Director General Dr. Gernst Bladt said. "Unfortunately, it would appear that the death rate remains constant and total, as it has inviolably since the dawn of time."

Many are suggesting that the high mortality rate represents a massive failure on the part of the planet's health care workers.

"The inability of doctors and scientists to adequately address this issue of death is nothing less than a scandal," concerned parent Marcia Gretto said. "Do you have any idea what a full-blown case of death looks like? Well, I do, and believe me, it's not pretty. In prolonged cases, total decomposition of the corpse is the result."

"What about the children?" the visibly moved Gretto added.

"At this early date, I don't want to start making broad generalizations," Citizens for Safety's Robert Hemmlin said, "but it is beginning to seem possible that birth—as well as the subsequent life cycle that follows it—may be a serious safety risk for all those involved."

Death, experts say, affects not only the dead, but the non-dead as well.


Death (above) has long been considered humanity's number one health concern. Responsible for 100 percent of all recorded fatalities worldwide, the condition has no cure.
"Those who suffer from death can be highly traumatized by it, often so severely that it kills them," noted therapist Eli Wasserbaum said. "But it can also be very traumatic for the still-living who are left behind. The sudden cessation of metabolic activity characteristic of terminal cases of death often leaves the dead person in a position where they are unable to adequately provide for the emotional needs of their loved ones."

In the most serious cases of death, Wasserbaum explained, the trauma inflicted upon these still-living victims of death may continue throughout their entire lives, until their own deaths. "Thus," Wasserbaum said, "the 'vicious cycle' of death trauma continues indefinitely."

"Everybody talks about death," Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) said, "but nobody seems to actually be doing anything about it. I propose we stop molly-coddling death, not to mention the multi-billion-dollar hospital, mortuary, funeral and burial industries that reap huge profits from it."

Under Domenici's new bill, all federal funds will be withheld from the medical industry until it "gets serious and starts cracking down on death."

Consumer rights advocate and staunch anti-death activist Ralph Nader agreed with Domenici.

"Why should we continue to spend billions of dollars a year on a health care industry whose sole purpose is to prevent death, only to find, once again, that death awaits us all?" Nader said in an impassioned address to several suburban Californians. "That's called a zero percent return on our investment, and that's not fair. Its time the paying customer stood up to the HMOs and to the so-called 'medical health professionals' and said: 'Enough is enough. I'm paying through the nose here, and I don't want to die.'"


http://www.theonion.com/onion3102/deathrate.html

 

[BrothaBill]

Its about time

I have to disagree with you guys about this. If you read any of my serious posts I make a big point about blood pressure, I use ultrasound to assess peoples heart and vascular system all the time and see the huge damage it does to people. In fact I'll never forget as a student in cardiac ultrasound I did my first organ donor patient, a young man that had high blood pressure and didnt control it. He had a massive brain bleed. He was in good shape and thought it couldnt happen to him, I know that because the patients family came into the room while I was seeing whether or not his heart was viable to be donated. I now see people in heart failure and the like because of high bp. It, and I truly believe this, is a silent killer. Thats why you should monitor bp with gear.

 

[40butpumpin]

Re: Its about time

...I use ultrasound to assess peoples heart and vascular system all the time and see the huge damage it does to people...

Exactly how are you differentiating between the damage done by hypertension and other factors? Also, a "massive brain bleed" from hypertension? I dunno man, are you sure? I have never heard of a massive brain bleed from hypertension in my life.

 

[Y_lifter]

Holding steady at 100%.... LOL

 

[2Thick]

It is a simple way for spcialists to garner more attention to their speciality and to demand higher charges for their services.

It is an old trick, but it works well with people who do not know any better.

 

[DcupSheepNipples]

More studies and more drugs=Higher Drug Company Profits!

Get off your fat asses people!

 

[Ffactor]

It is an old trick, but it works well with people who do not know any better.

In other words, the Sheeple!

 

[chesty]

Yep, I believe it is a game they are playing. In fact, in the article they even said that there are two types of medicine. An inexpensive one and an expensive one. They also stated that high bp should always be controlled with at least two medicines and that physicians are reluctant to prescribed more than one at a time. Sounds to me like they are trying to convince more people that they have high bp.

High to me is anything above 140/80. I always have been avg between 110-125/70-80 my entire life. I don't have heart problems, or any other problems.

They just want the doc's to prescibe more medicine so they can make more money. They seem to be losing money cause the doc's are waking up and actually helping us to be healthy and not prescribe a ton of shit when it is not needed.

 

[tempest2003]

I dont know, I have high blood pressure and my doctor wont give me anything, its been like that for 2 years, im lean, hardly any fat at all, maybe 7% bf if that, i in track, top athleet on our team, will make it to stte in multipul events and hes like well mayb e in a few years we will do somthing about it. its fucked up, im gona die from it proably, ive never taken a cycle, i hardly eat any salty foods at all, ive been cutting them out. my bp is around 140-160 over 80

 

[40butpumpin]

Any bro's concerned about this should look up a product called Nattokinase. Trust me, it'll be worth your time.

But my grandmother lived until she was 88 years old with high bp and she had never had a heart attack, a stroke, and no massive brain bleeds. She died of emphasima (sp?).

It's funny but casavant is right, we all die. But I'm sure as hell not going to live under the financial, physiological and psychological slavery of the pharmaceutical giant pigs while they're off partying on their yachts with my money.

I believe abslutely nothing the pharmaceutical companies say, nothing.

Sorry, I just had to get that off my chest.

 

[chesty]

Me neither. I look at it this way, if you get regular physicals and your doctor is trustworthy you will know well in advance if something is up.

We all die at some point. It is the journey not the trip that counts.

 

[danielson]

interesting. quite what this insinuates (prophylaxis or lifestyle change) should be interesting

115-70 and up to 120/90 here......resting HR of 57...the diastolic 90 puts me as pre-hypertensive but i dont think that should be enough to worry anyone. the 120/90 was when some really god looking girl was taking it so i hope its that anyhow

 

[BrothaBill]

Sorry should be more specific about my post, some people have naturally occurring aneurysms in the head about 20% (according to a friend that does cerebral studies) and the high bp will put people at risk for those to rupture. Not all the time and I dont want to alarm anyone, b/c the vast majority and Im talking over 20-30 years it will be slow progressing disease, but when their 50 or 60 it catches up to people. Its pretty easy to control with diet and exercise. The best drug for bp is diuretics and that costs pennies. Its just that drug companies dont see any money for it and they do mislead physicians with marketing. If were here to post good advice so people are at least aware of some problems then so be it., but I'll just go back to making my usual smartass posts.

 

[BrothaBill]

Re: Re: Its about time

Exactly how are you differentiating between the damage done by hypertension and other factors? Also, a "massive brain bleed" from hypertension? I dunno man, are you sure? I have never heard of a massive brain bleed from hypertension in my life.

High blood pressure can cause lacunar infarcts (infarct means death and lacunar means lakelike in appearance) You see it on ct's of the brain. If its too large then it will kill people.

 

[chesty]

bleeding brain bad!

high bp from gorgeous girl good!

 

[argent]

I saw that shit on the news. The are so indecisive it makes me want to vomit. I just say fuck it and move on.

 

[40butpumpin]

Its pretty easy to control with diet and exercise.

I have to disagree with you there friend. Ask tempest2003 how easy it is to control.

As far as people having naturally occurring aneurysms, sure, but they'll die from that and not hypertension. I say that because even a person with perfect bp has bp spikes due to this or that that are considered perfectly normal. Any one of those normal spikes would kill a person with a hidden aneurysm.

I don't live recklessly, however, I won't live in fear of death either. As has already been pointed out, it's unavoidable.

I say this with no disrespect to you friend.

 

[BrothaBill]

I have to disagree with you there friend. Ask tempest2003 how easy it is to control.

As far as people having naturally occurring aneurysms, sure, but they'll die from that and not hypertension. I say that because even a person with perfect bp has bp spikes due to this or that that are considered perfectly normal. Any one of those normal spikes would kill a person with a hidden aneurysm.

I don't live recklessly, however, I won't live in fear of death either. As has already been pointed out, it's unavoidable.

I say this with no disrespect to you friend.

Yeah, once again Ive put my foot in my mouth, for alot of people it can be controlled. Some cannnot, so this is what I should say: I think controlling bp besides from smoking and abusing substances is a great to improve your quality of life over the long haul. Its just out of sight out of mind for some people and I think that puts people at risk for a whole host of ailments. I am definitely biased ehere I work b/c every pat I see has a heart problem, I just dont want to see any of you guys anytime soon.

 

[40butpumpin]

Its just out of sight out of mind for some people and I think that puts people at risk for a whole host of ailments. I am definitely biased ehere I work b/c every pat I see has a heart problem, I just dont want to see any of you guys anytime soon.

No doubt about it bro. I'm with you on that one man, we are indeed in a high risk group (if we're using AAS) and we should keep a eye on it for that reason. I definitely appreciate your concern.

The new guidelines say, however, that a person with a bp of 125/85 is in a state of "prehypertension." Man that's some serious bullshit if I've ever seen it.