Hyderabad: Are the new parameters for high blood pressure being reduced to suit pharmaceutical companies is a question doing the rounds in medical circles.
There is confusion as some cardiologists state that western guidelines of 140/90 mmHg must be taken into account while others state that 120/80 mmHg is appropriate.
Cardiologist Dr Sameer Diwale said, “There are various trials being conducted across the world. Based on those evaluations, the new guidelines are issued. There has been evidence that it is not good for Indian patients and that is found to be appropriate in 80 per cent of the cases.”
With clinical evidence showing higher numbers, experts state that they have to provide the best of treatment. But apart from medicines, a lot of stress is being placed on lifestyle modifications.
Change lifestyle or opt for medication: Doctors
With elevated BP being witnessed in people as young as 30 years, city cardiologists as well as general physicians are advising them to make changes in their lifestyle and also opt for a brief period of medication.
Cardiologist Dr R. K. Aggarwal said, “In youngsters, we have seen that if an effort is made to change the lifestyle including reduction of fatty foods and exercise, there is a major control. In patients between 30 to 40 years of age, this method is being followed only where we find that the patient is showing a compliance level. For others, medication is prescribed.”
Doctors vouch for traditional BP rule
The reason to bring back traditional parameters of 120/80 mmHg blood pressure reading for Asians is due to the manner in which management of the disease suffered and the damage it caused.
Dr Sunil Kapoor, senior cardiologist, said, “High blood pressure is asymptomatic. At the same time, there have been issues in terms of diagnostics despite being so easy. With some patients showing fluctuating readings like too high in the afternoon of 160/100 and going too low at night like 110/60 demands proper investigations for 10 days to ensure that they are put on right treatment.While some of these patients do not do proper follow ups, there is a new device called Ambulat-ory monitoring, which is attached to the pati-e-nts arm and removed after 24 hours. This gives a proper indication of the fluctuating pressure and accordingly treatment can be carried out.”
At the same time, most cardiologists vouch for the traditional approach as they state that incidences of paralytic str-oke, silent heart attacks, recurrence of heart attack and heart failure are seen in patients where treatment is neglected or delayed. For that reason, a pre-emptive approach is considered to be the best.
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