The regular news media regularly misreports science. Let's see what the medical community has to say.
The Cochrane Collaboration is one of the most highly respected organizations in evaluating medical research. Here's what the Cochrane Collaboration had to say in 2017:
At the present time there is insufficient evidence to know whether a higher BP target (less than150 to 160/95 to 105 mmHg) or a lower BP target (less than 140/90 mmHg) is better for older adults with high BP.
Also in 2017:
Antihypertensive medicines for adults aged 18 to 59 years with raised blood pressure have a small beneficial effect to reduce stroke. However, death due to all-causes and heart attack were not reduced and withdrawals due to side effects were increased.
And, again, in 2017:
No evidence of a difference in total mortality and serious adverse events was found between treating to a lower or to a standard blood pressure target in people with hypertension and cardiovascular disease. This suggests no net health benefit from a lower systolic blood pressure target despite the small absolute reduction in total cardiovascular serious adverse events. There was very limited evidence on adverse events, which lead to high uncertainty. At present there is insufficient evidence to justify lower blood pressure targets (≤ 135/85 mmHg) in people with hypertension and established cardiovascular disease. More trials are needed to answer this question.
The Cochrane Collaboration had this to say in 2012:
Antihypertensive drugs used in the treatment of adults (primary prevention) with mild hypertension (systolic BP 140-159 mmHg and/or diastolic BP 90-99 mmHg) have not been shown to reduce mortality or morbidity in RCTs. Treatment caused 9% of patients to discontinue treatment due to adverse effects. More RCTs are needed in this prevalent population to know whether the benefits of treatment exceed the harms.
It is widely believed, based on the Framingham study, that there is a linear relationship between blood pressure and mortality risk. In 2000 a group of medical statisticians re-analysed the original data which underpinned the log-linear model and they concluded the following:
Shockingly, we have found that the Framingham data in no way supported the current paradigm to which they gave birth. In fact…. The paradigm MUST be false.
So, you see, the matter is not settled. It is very likely that millions of people are being treated with no benefit, other than psychological.
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