PUTTING most older patients on high blood pressure pills would prevent 9,000 strokes and heart attacks a year, a study suggests.
Only patients who have high readings currently get them.
2
But now researchers want all those at increased risk of cardiovascular problems to take the 5p-a-day pills — even if their blood pressure is normal.
Reducing it cuts risk whatever a patient’s readings, as long as they are not too low.
The study found everyone with a ten per cent chance of developing heart problems over a decade should be given them — the same rules as for statins.
It would be mean most men over 50 and women over 60 would qualify, no matter their readings.
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine experts estimate it would help halt 89,796 strokes and heart attacks over ten years.
High blood pressure is the biggest trigger but the symptoms often go unnoticed until too late.
RARE PHENOMENON
Mum stuns doctors after giving birth to baby with head and arms of his parasitic TWIN attached to his chest
TOT SHOCKS DOC
Little boy’s aggressive brain tumour shrinks thanks to CANNABIS compound, his parents claim
THE ‘CURSED’ CHILD A MUM WON’T LOVE
Heartbreaking photos show the premature baby whose mum won’t hold or feed her
And Dr Emily Herrett, lead researcher of the study in The Lancet medical journal, said: “Many who might benefit from blood pressure lowering treatment are missing out.”
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, of the British Heart Foundation, said: “These are important findings.”
New NHS guidelines are due next month.
2
