Q My elderly mum’s blood pressure is slightly raised. should it be treated?

ABlood pressure often rises with age, increasing 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, including fatigue, frequent urination, chemical imbalances and a sudden drop in blood pressure when they stand up, which can lead to complications.

The pills may also affect some other medical conditions, and recent European research suggests that over-treating high blood pressure in frail people over the age of 85 could be harmful.

So there may be pros and cons for your mum, and she needs to make a joint, informed decision with her GP after discussing how any medication might affect her personally.