I was advised to start high blood pressure meds after having bp of 160/110, my blood pressure is now down to 136/60 with treatment. but now I’m confused because according to several medical studies. they say pulse pressure is more dangerous than having lower numbers. looks like I would have be better off not having blood pressure treated. I just read this and haven’t been back to my doctor to ask him about this. and since I’m not due to go back for a couple of months I thought I would seek your advise on this subject

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Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

I don’t know your age, but after age 50, pulse pressure is indeed a risk factor for heart disease. However, high blood pressure should be treated - high pulse pressure is the result of arterial disease rather than the cause. High blood pressure places a continuous stress on the heart and the major vessels, and as a result, changes in the heart muscle as well as the elasticity of the arteries lead to increased pulse pressure. This inevitably happens as we age, but it happens faster if we do not take care of the risk factors. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for not only heart disease, but also for stroke and brain hemorrhage.?

I believe you are definitely better off with the current blood pressure readings than with what you had before medication. My advice is to stick to the current medication and talk to your doctor of your concerns when you next see him. Do remember the proven and effective non medicinal treatments of high blood pressure: Exercise, weight loss and low salt diet.