Everyone aged 55 and over should be taking drugs to lower their blood pressure, even if they don't need them, an expert claims. Most types of drugs to treat blood pressure will cut a person's risk of heart attacks and heart failure by around a quarter and the risk of stroke by about a third regardless of how healthy they are. But some charities fear that people will ignore advice to watch their diet and exercise more in favour of "popping a pill". Professor Malcolm Law, who led the study, said: "Beyond a certain age, we're saying everyone would benefit from taking drugs that lower blood pressure - ITNWednesday, May 20, 2009
Heart drugs 'for all over 55s' (UK)
Everyone aged 55 and over should be taking drugs to lower their blood pressure, even if they don't need them, an expert claims. Most types of drugs to treat blood pressure will cut a person's risk of heart attacks and heart failure by around a quarter and the risk of stroke by about a third regardless of how healthy they are. But some charities fear that people will ignore advice to watch their diet and exercise more in favour of "popping a pill". Professor Malcolm Law, who led the study, said: "Beyond a certain age, we're saying everyone would benefit from taking drugs that lower blood pressure - ITN
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