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Beware Overtreating Blood Pressure in Kidney Disease Patients

Ideal blood pressure is usually thought to be around 120/80 or lower. A new study of veterans with chronic kidney disease suggests that their optimal blood pressure may be slightly higher, 130 to 159 systolic and 70 to 89 diastolic. The study entailed a review of more than 650,000 patient recods during a seven-year time span.

Lowering diastolic pressure below 70 had a negative effect on survival. Patients with somewhat high systolic blood pressure whose treated diastolic pressure did not drop below 70 had a lower mortality rate.

[Annals of Internal Medicine, Aug. 20, 2013]

Previous studies have shown that monitoring blood pressure at home can assist with better control. Anyone interested in nondrug approaches to lowering blood pressure may wish to consult our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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