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The risk of death for elderly patients increases if blood pressure readings are below 140/90 millimeters of mercury, experts from Germany found.
Doctors usually warn about the dangers of high blood pressure, but a study by scientists from the Berlin Medical University presented data showing that pressure below 140/90 millimeters of mercury can also have a negative effect on people's health. In particular, experts found that with such pressure indicators, the risk of death increases in elderly patients over 80 years old and those who have previously suffered a stroke or myocardial infarction.
The authors of the project analyzed the condition of more than 1600 men and women over the age of 70 who were treated for hypertension. The researchers found that at the age of 80, elderly people with blood pressure below 140/90 millimeters of mercury died 40% more often than those whose blood pressure was above this level. The same trend was observed among patients with a history of myocardial infarction or stroke, for whom blood pressure below 140/90 was also associated with an increased risk of death. At the same time, the experts took into account the factors of medication, possible kidney diseases, the composition of blood and urine, as well as bad habits.
Researchers intend to find out what mechanisms cause the association between low blood pressure and an increased risk of death in old age.
