Irregular swings in blood pressure might pose long-term threat

It is a known fact that high blood pressure is not good for health. A new research suggests that dramatic fluctuations in blood pressure are equally harmful to health.

According to the study author, Dr. Brian Clements, if blood pressure varies and remains uncontrolled for a particular duration, the chances of stroke, heart attack, heart or kidney failure increase manifold.

Dr. Satjit Bhusri, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, said that fluctuations in blood pressure strain the arteries of brain and heart more than consistent blood pressure. Also, the study concluded that medications for blood pressure should not be stopped and taken regularly, and not just when the need arises.

Clements and his team studied medical records of around 11,000 patients. It was found that in patients, whose systolic blood pressure varied by 30 or 40 points between visits to doctors, were more prone to die in the next five years as compared to those, who had fewer fluctuations in their blood pressure. Normal systolic blood pressure is 120mm Hg while 130mm or above is considered a high measure of blood pressure, as per the American Heart Association (AHA).

Clements said that to control blood pressure, healthy foods must be consumed, and exercise should be done regularly.

The study is only preliminary and cannot be considered final until it gets published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Source: drugs.com