Introduction by FJM (not a medical doctor)
Similar to the Statin story, where the limit of maximum normal Cholesterol was lowered to, probably, increase the user base, so it appears that the maximum acceptable Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) was lowered to achieve the same result, most likely.
Another point to consider is the fact that our blood pressure is not static, it varies according to the demand signals sent by various organs. For example, if a certain organ does not receive adequate blood supply, hence nutrients, it sends a signal. The system responds by increasing the blood pressure, thus forcing more blood supply to the organ in distress. When we override this natural behavior by taking, unduly in many cases, blood pressure reducing medications, we are actually interfering with our internal needs.
By prescribing these blood pressure reducing medications, doctors are only treating the symptom, without knowing the root-cause of the problem, like, for example, venous insufficiency failing to supply some distressed organ of our body with necessary nutrients. In some instances mental stress may be the root cause of the problem. Unless the root cause is eliminated a patient will be a lifelong user of these medications, all of which have side effects, such as, for example, dry mouth, impotence, low energy, spells of fainting, etc.
There certainly are situations where the SBP is so high that immediate action is required to bring it under control, however, it should not end there.
Unlike the YouTube opinions by many, the following is based on real studies, involving an adequate number of participants in each case.
The following selected quotations address the high spots only, for details I suggest you follow the link shown at the end.
"The Vast Overtreatment of Blood Pressure"
"By A Midwestern Doctor· Over 139,000 subscribers" published on Substack
"Note: when this (forgotten) paper was published, the conventional blood pressure thresholds were less aggressive. I modified its graph to match the current guidelines.
After the paper was published, it was mostly ignored but eventually received this response (which again illustrates how resistant medical dogmas are to evidence that refutes them):
The National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) issued a statement regarding Port’s findings saying that they found it “thought provoking” but “After careful review of this study, the NHLBI finds that it does not offer a basis for changing the current hypertension guidelines."
Note: in addition to a SBP below 130 significantly increasing the chance of death, this study also found a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) below 80 (a common consequence of blood pressure lowering medications) made patients 8-19% more likely to die.
Furthermore, another smaller study of 800 adults over 60 found a DBP under 80 made participants 90-190% more likely to die and that a SBP under 120 was associated with a higher risk of death.
Finally, since slightly elevated blood pressures are far more common than highly elevated ones, each time the treatment target is lowered by a small amount, a large number of people get pushed onto these drugs, Note: in addition to a SBP below 130 significantly increasing the chance of death, this study also found a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) below 80 (a common consequence of blood pressure lowering medications) made patients 8-19% more likely to die."
A Midwestern Doctor https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-vast-overtreatment-of-blood-pressure?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=post_embed&utm_medium=email
%20%E2%80%94%20Scaled%20(47%25).png){kind=tracking}
