A meta-analysis suggests that everyone over a certain age should be given blood pressure lowering drugs to prevent the risk of heart disease. The research has received widespread press coverage. The Daily Telegraph quoted a Stroke Association spokesperson who said, “Whilst blood pressure medication is one of the safest and most studied medications, they do have side effects and should only be described to people who are at significant risk of stroke. “

To find out more, read the accompanying editorial

Do you think that blood pressure lowering drugs should be offered to all people over a certain age? Cast your vote on this week’s BMJ poll.

BMJ in the news:

• Blood pressure pill action urged – BBC News, UK
• Blood pressure drugs for over 55s – Channel 4 News, UK
• Blood pressure drugs reduce heart attack and stroke risk regardless of raised blood pressure – Daily Telegraph, UK
• Blood pressure drugs for over 55s – The Press Association
• ‘Prescribe antihypertensives for all over a certain age’ – Pulse, UK
• Folic acid protects baby hearts – BBC News, UK
• Light therapy at home works for psoriasis despite doctors’ doubts – The Guardian, UK
• Simulator trains surgeons to be more efficient – E-Health Insider
• vCJD carrier risk ‘overestimated’ – BBC News, UK

BMJ in blogs:

• Blood pressure tablets ‘should be given to everyone over 55′
• Folic acid cuts baby heart defects
• The Carolina Curator: BMJ Offers Prize for Use of Its Online Archive
• Treat Psoriasis at Home: Ultraviolet Lamps
• Home UVB Therapy for Psoriasis as Effective as Hospital Treatment
• African Botanicals: Some interesting new treatments for psoriasis
• Domicile bright therapy psoriasis hope « Hot announcements and
  

Most read:

• Use of blood pressure lowering drugs in the prevention of cardiovascular disease
• Management of blood pressure in primary care
• A new era for blood pressure management
• Effect of virtual reality training on laparoscopic surgery: RCT
• Rules of conscience

Most commented:

• Use of blood pressure lowering drugs in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: meta-analysis of 147 randomised trials in the context of expectations from prospective epidemiological studies
• Rules of conscience
• Gaza patients “forced” to help security services in exchange for Israeli medical treatment
• Contrasting ethical policies of physicians and psychologists concerning interrogation of detainees
• Surgical treatments for men with benign prostatic enlargement: cost effectiveness study

Juliet Walker is the assistant web editor, BMJ