Ask the expert
Q MY ELDERLY MUM’S BLOOD PRESSURE IS SLIGHTLY RAISED. SHOULD IT BE TREATED?
A Blood pressure often rises with age, raising our risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney damage. NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, recommends lifestyle changes (a balanced diet, taking exercise, not smoking and limiting alcohol), as well as blood-pressure targets and medication that take into account age, ethnic origin and any pre-existing medical conditions.
However, many people get unwanted side-effects of medication, including fatigue, frequent urination,