“Aiming for blood pressure targets lower than 140/90 mmHg is not beneficial,” concludes a 2009 review by the Cochrane Collaboration.

“Using more drugs in the lower target groups did achieve modestly lower blood pressures, however, this strategy did not prolong survival or reduce stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure.”

“More trials are needed, but at present there is no evidence to support aiming for a blood pressure target lower than 140/90 mmHg in any hypertensive patient.”