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High cardiovascular risks Even low blood pressure can be a risk
Not only too high, but also low blood pressure is a danger to health. The lower pressure in the blood vessels is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Experts therefore plead for setting a lower limit for blood pressure, on which doctors and patients can orientate themselves.
Most are warned against high blood pressure levels
When it comes to blood pressure, it is usually warned against high levels. After all, high blood pressure is considered a major risk factor for potentially fatal cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack or stroke. Although currently values over 140 to 90 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) are referred to as hypertension, but experts should actually be 120 instead of 140, the new blood pressure target. As a recent study now shows, not only high, but also low blood pressure represents a health risk. Experts therefore argue for setting a lower limit of the values.
Not only too high, but also low blood pressure increases cardiovascular risk. Experts argue for setting a lower limit for the blood pressure values. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com) Effects of low blood pressure
Too low blood pressure (hypotension) is often only perceived by those affected if dizziness, buzzing or sensitivity to cold sets in in certain situations.
While hypotension is considered harmless by many, low blood pressure can also be indicative of conditions such as hypothyroidism or myocardial insufficiency.
In addition, scientists from the Netherlands reported on a study according to which low blood pressure could be a potential dementia cause.
Hypertension treatment with drugs
Since it is known what dramatic consequences hypertension can have, blood pressure is often lowered by medication.
However, if the value drops too low, it can be as harmful to your health as hypertension. This was revealed in a study published in the journal "The Lancet".
Data from more than 30,900 patients, ages 55 and over, had been evaluated for the study. Seventy percent of the participants suffered from hypertension and were treated with medication.
For a total of 56 months, the development of blood pressure levels and the occurrence of adverse health outcomes were observed in these patients.
Increased mortality at low blood pressure levels
It was found that the treatment only had a positive effect in the patients who were stably adjusted to systolic blood pressure values between 120 and 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure around 75 mmHg.
According to the researchers, the number of cardiovascular problems and deaths from such illnesses dropped.
However, patients who achieved systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg had a 14 percent higher risk of cardiovascular events. The mortality increased according to the evaluation by 28 percent.
In addition, the patients' cardiovascular risk increased when the lower blood pressure dropped below 70 mmHg.
Set lower limit for blood pressure
Therefore, study leader Prof. Michael Böhm from the University of the Saarland in Homburg / Saar could imagine setting a lower limit for the blood pressure target value, reports the portal "Kardiologie.org".
"Our analysis indicates that the lowest possible blood pressure is not necessarily the optimal target for all high-risk patients," said the scientist.
According to the researchers, although a blood pressure target below 130 mmHg is desirable for most high-risk patients, the 120 mmHg limit should not be undercut.
The study authors also assume that the benefit of reaching a blood pressure level can vary individually and is dependent on the respective risk profile.
For example, individuals with a particularly high risk of stroke could benefit from even lower blood pressure, while such an area would be detrimental to those more likely to have a heart attack.
The results also make it clear that hypertension therapy requires an individualized approach. (Ad)