Blood pressure - what level to treat.

Port, S., et al, Lancet 355:175, January 15, 2000

So for a 60 year old male that's a systolic of 160 and for a female 164.

Today doing a locum I met two men whose GP was trying to get their BPs below 140. Both had systolic in the 150s. Both were having side effects. Both felt pushed and forced. Both felt threatened - scared.

I just do not get pushing people into following guidelines without their buy in. I detest the use of fear to gain compliance no matter how politely it's used