Normally, blood pressure rises from childhood into middle age. But what happens later in life has been less clear.
Researchers from the University of Exeter have found that in older adults, blood pressure begins a gradual decline about 14 years before death, offering new insights into aging and health.
Previously, scientists suspected that this drop was linked to treatment for high blood pressure. To investigate, the team analyzed medical records from 46,634 people in Britain who died at age 60 or older. These included both healthy individuals and those with conditions such as heart disease or dementia.
The steepest declines occurred in people with dementia, heart failure, significant late-life weight loss, or a history of high blood pressure.
However, even healthy individuals without these conditions showed the same long-term fall in blood pressure. This suggests the decline is a natural pattern, not simply a sign of poor health or early death from hypertension.
The researchers say understanding this trend could help doctors tailor treatment for older patients. They stress that the findings do NOT mean people should stop treating high blood pressure or discontinue medication. More research is needed to understand the underlying causes.
Other recent studies have shown that drinking black tea may lower blood pressure, while certain blood pressure medications could raise the risk of heart failure.
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The study, led by Professor George Kuchel, was published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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