Blood pressure If you’ve got diabetes and coronary artery disease you probably feel like life is one long limbo dance – everyone always telling you to get your blood pressure 'lower, lower'.
However, according to research from University of Florida successfully decreasing it too much can be a health hazard. Going to the extreme – below 120 systolic (the first figure on your blood pressure reading) – appears to be less beneficial for patients than if they maintain levels at between 130 and 140, say the researchers.
In the past, the advice has simply been to keep blood pressure levels as low as possible but this new study indicates that for those people suffering with both diabetes and heart disease, there is such a thing as too low. At this point the risk of further cardiovascular problems is increased.
The British Heart Foundation currently recommends systolic pressure of 140, diastolic 85 (140.85) for normal, healthy individuals; for those with diabetes or heart disease, it suggests a reading of below 130/80.
First published March 18, 2010