show that even what used to be borderline high (130/90) is associated with much greater risk.

But I guess the AMA could be entirely under the control of "Big Pharma" too, sure. We'll run with that.

big pharm. They save money on associated diseases that are caused by high BP and would be a huge money maker for the pharm industry.

Generic BP meds are proven and cost practically nothing.

Thing is, BP meds have side effects, like fatigue and depression, that aren't so easy to measure objectively. I can imagine a doc saying, "You know it's a real shame that Harry lost his business, got dumped by his family, and ended up homeless, but we kept his BP right on target all those years."

I think diet and lifestyle changes can usually help a lot with BP.

Granted, it's not a cure-all for everybody, nothing is.

But some people don't want to do that. So what do we do? Let them die? Or help with cheap meds?

Sorry, I probably shouldn't have injected myself into the debate.
I should have said that I am pro-meds for people who can't or won't make healthy lifestyle choices.

I've got high BP despite having zero risk factors for it. Very glad there are cheap and effective meds.

Some people have high BP no matter what they do. You must be one of those lucky ones!

I'm not anti-meds at all (I'm on a ton for my arthritis), I was just fortunate that I could manage my BP through lifestyle changes.

I think we are agreed here, it would be GREAT if everyone who could, was able to make the lifestyle changes that can help.

But if they can't, or are one of the "lucky ones" like me (!), yeah the meds are literal lifesavers.

Diet is the thing people seem least able to change. It's a societal issue I think, ie. advertising, product contents...

who can't or won't lose weight or have high BP no matter what they do.

It only takes commitment, and the willingness to do what works, regardless of what friends and family will say about you behind your back. As long as "vegan" = "weird" then people will go right on dying of preventable conditions.

Is that clinically connected to BP meds that we use now or is there a possibility of other causes for the problems you mention? Is that anecdote or factual direct connection to BP meds? Reading the legal jargon on any med will produce caveats that are absurd and can be found on any medication to distance the product from lawsuits but are not clinically attributed to the medication itself. They are called "possible" side effects.

I have absutely the opposite reaction to your stated problems.

As for your example it's anti-doctor as a rather broad brush against educated professionals.

I'm a healthy weight. I eat a good diet. I exercise regularly and I don't smoke. But my BP was still high.

On meds, I'm a steady 120/80 or lower. With no side effects that I've noticed.

I am very thankful for how effective and cheap these medicines are. Without them I would be facing a significantly higher risk of stroke or cardiac problems despite doing everything I can to control it.

And think how much money could be made on stroke, diabetes, etc, etc. without it? I think that blows the big pharm money making theory out the window.

So we'll be customers for longer! Damn them for extending my life!!!

I found a cure for my leprosy there along with winning lottery numbers.

My family doctor at my last visit commented that guidelines had changed for older people. A reading of anything less than 150/90 is acceptable for the elderly. I am currently on three meds to control my BP, amlodipine, metoprolol ER And Losartan. Most of the time my blood pressure is below 135/80 and frequently is 124/70 (or a tad lower). My doctor is quite happy with that.

I will need to go for a check up around the first of the year so it will be interesting to see what she says. I doubt she will want to monkey around with my meds since she finally found a combination that keeps my BP at a reasonable level for someone who just turned 69. And side effects are minimal, except for weight issues. The metoprolol seems to impact weight gain and difficulty losing weight. Sigh....hard to get docs to agree about that, but lots of anecdotal evidence from those who have taken it.