How Far to Lower Blood Pressure

To the Editor: Fletcher and Bulpitt (Jan. 23 issue)¹ conclude that “it appears reasonable to lower diastolic pressure to below 85 mm Hg,” yet their figure shows that the lowest rate of mortality from coronary heart disease has been seen at a diastolic pressure of about 83 mm Hg and that the mortality rate has been shown to increase below that level. Therefore, their additional conclusion that it is unclear how far the diastolic pressure should be lowered below 85 mm Hg should be emphasized, and they should be cautioned not to advise physicians blithely to lower diastolic pressures below…