New reason for doctors to prescribe statins? - High Cholesterol Message Board

Uff-Da! · 05-23-2005, 07:16 AM

It sounds like new guidelines will soon be coming out for doctors in assessing patients with hypertension. Under this guideline, optimal BP will be considered to be about 115/75 and doctors will be looking more at total cardio vascular risk rather than just hypertension numbers. So how does that influence those who have high cholesterol numbers? Well, get this -

Thomas Giles, MD, president of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) made this statement recently:

"Under the new definition, statins that lower cholesterol might be considered antihypertensive drugs, and antidiabetes drugs might be considered antihypertensive drugs."

Hmmmm. I wonder what that will do to the number of statins prescribed.

JJ · 05-23-2005, 08:58 AM

I heard that the other day Uff. Man, they just won't be happy till they have EVERY person on a statin for something. These so called "guidelines" are getting lower and lower. Guess they expect us to believe it is the WONDER drug for the 21st. century.....

mg_health · 05-23-2005, 09:27 AM

This is getting ridiculous: first, anything below 140/90 was normal. Then, anything below 129/80 was normal. Now, anything below 115/75 is now NORMAL? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH There's no winning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's hard enough for me to keep my BP down around 120/80, let alone below 115/75! JEESH!

babydog · 05-23-2005, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uff-Da!

It sounds like new guidelines will soon be coming out for doctors in assessing patients with hypertension. Under this guideline, optimal BP will be considered to be about 115/75 and doctors will be looking more at total cardio vascular risk rather than just hypertension numbers. So how does that influence those who have high cholesterol numbers? Well, get this -

Thomas Giles, MD, president of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) made this statement recently:

"Under the new definition, statins that lower cholesterol might be considered antihypertensive drugs, and antidiabetes drugs might be considered antihypertensive drugs."

Hmmmm. I wonder what that will do to the number of statins prescribed.

After reading your post, I am not sure what my bp is right now, but I can guarantee it is nowhere near 115/75!

HubbleRules · 05-23-2005, 12:08 PM

All,

Of course you realize that ultimately the guidelines for BP will be adjusted to 0/0....

They just want to get us there slowly.... Something about a shortage of wood for coffins....

HubbleRules