When managing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, many of us rely on medical guidelines to make the best choices for our health. These guidelines set the “magic numbers” we aim to achieve—like blood pressure below 130/80 or an A1c under 7.0. But have you ever wondered who decides these numbers and how they’re determined?
It may surprise you to learn that the healthcare industry plays a significant role in shaping our health goals. As former advertising writers in the medical field, we’ve seen firsthand how companies promote guidelines that align with their interests. While this involvement might appear harmless, it’s worth asking: Are these target numbers genuinely in the patient’s best interests—or do they reflect the priorities of those with something to gain?
The Hidden Motives Behind Lower Targets
Take high blood pressure (hypertension) as an example. Decades ago, studies found that lowering systolic pressure (the top number) below 160 mm Hg reduced the risks of heart attack and stroke. Over time, however, the bar for healthy blood pressure has been set lower and lower. But is this truly better for everyone? Not necessarily.
In 2017, the threshold for high blood pressure was redefined from 140/90 to 130/80, causing the percentage of U.S. adults classified as having hypertension to jump from 32% to 46%. This meant that almost half of all Americans needed to take blood pressure meds—creating millions of potential new customers for pharmaceutical companies.
Today, U.S. cardiology organizations, backed by companies like Pfizer, define blood pressure as ‘high’ at 130/80 mmHg. However, a 2024 Cochrane Review looked at whether older adults, 65 and up, do better with lower targets (under 140/90 mmHg) compared to higher blood pressure targets (around 150–160/95–105 mmHg). The review found no compelling evidence that pushing blood pressure very low helps frail older adults live longer, although it might slightly lower the risk of stroke.
This raises an important question: Are guidelines designed with patient health in mind—or influenced by pharmaceutical interests?
Transparency Matters
Another concern is the lack of transparency in how guidelines are created. Transparency means being open and honest about how decisions are made and who is influencing them. Unfortunately, there is a lack of openness in developing medical guidelines. Panels that set health targets, for example, frequently include experts with financial ties to drug companies, creating conflicts of interest.
When transparency is lacking, trust in the the American healthcare system is undermined. A Reuters investigation on Type 2 diabetes guidelines revealed that financial ties between industry and guideline panels are often hidden, making it difficult to know if any recommendations are truly evidence-based or swayed by profit motives.
Are Guidelines Designed for Your Health or Drug Company Profits?
Changes to guidelines have real consequences. Lowering thresholds dramatically increases the number of treatable patients. While this “supersizing” benefits pharmaceutical companies, it doesn’t necessarily benefit everyone with chronic health conditions. In fact, it can lead to unnecessary medications, harmful side effects, and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
What Can We Do?
Panels that set health goals should be free from industry influence and guided by unbiased, independent evidence. This would allow healthcare providers to focus on what’s best for each patient rather than applying one-size-fits-all goals.
As patients, staying informed is crucial. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor why a treatment is being recommended or whether it’s truly necessary. Understanding the risks and benefits of medications empowers you to make better choices about your health.
The Bottom Line
Drug companies shouldn’t dictate our health goals. When they influence health targets, it erodes trust in medicine and can lead to unnecessary harm. At RxBalance, we believe everyone deserves clear, honest information about their health.
Change isn’t easy, especially when powerful industries have so much at stake. Before going on any medication, talk to your doctor about the appropriate blood pressure recommendations for your age, gender, and specific medical conditions. Informed patients can make decisions that prioritize their health—not someone else’s bottom line.
Based on decades of experience in medical advertising, we expose the hidden side of the pharmaceutical industry’s story — empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health.
References:
New Blood Pressure Guidelines a Boon for Big Pharma
Blood pressure targets for older adults with high blood pressure
A Reuters Series: Out of Control – America’s losing battle against diabetes
It may surprise you to learn that the healthcare industry plays a significant role in shaping our health goals. As former advertising writers in the medical field, we’ve seen firsthand how companies promote guidelines that align with their interests. While this involvement might appear harmless, it’s worth asking: Are these target numbers genuinely in the patient’s best interests—or do they reflect the priorities of those with something to gain?
The Hidden Motives Behind Lower Targets
Take high blood pressure (hypertension) as an example. Decades ago, studies found that lowering systolic pressure (the top number) below 160 mm Hg reduced the risks of heart attack and stroke. Over time, however, the bar for healthy blood pressure has been set lower and lower. But is this truly better for everyone? Not necessarily.
In 2017, the threshold for high blood pressure was redefined from 140/90 to 130/80, causing the percentage of U.S. adults classified as having hypertension to jump from 32% to 46%. This meant that almost half of all Americans needed to take blood pressure meds—creating millions of potential new customers for pharmaceutical companies.
Today, U.S. cardiology organizations, backed by companies like Pfizer, define blood pressure as ‘high’ at 130/80 mmHg. However, a 2024 Cochrane Review looked at whether older adults, 65 and up, do better with lower targets (under 140/90 mmHg) compared to higher blood pressure targets (around 150–160/95–105 mmHg). The review found no compelling evidence that pushing blood pressure very low helps frail older adults live longer, although it might slightly lower the risk of stroke.
This raises an important question: Are guidelines designed with patient health in mind—or influenced by pharmaceutical interests?
Transparency Matters
Another concern is the lack of transparency in how guidelines are created. Transparency means being open and honest about how decisions are made and who is influencing them. Unfortunately, there is a lack of openness in developing medical guidelines. Panels that set health targets, for example, frequently include experts with financial ties to drug companies, creating conflicts of interest.
When transparency is lacking, trust in the the American healthcare system is undermined. A Reuters investigation on Type 2 diabetes guidelines revealed that financial ties between industry and guideline panels are often hidden, making it difficult to know if any recommendations are truly evidence-based or swayed by profit motives.
Are Guidelines Designed for Your Health or Drug Company Profits?
Changes to guidelines have real consequences. Lowering thresholds dramatically increases the number of treatable patients. While this “supersizing” benefits pharmaceutical companies, it doesn’t necessarily benefit everyone with chronic health conditions. In fact, it can lead to unnecessary medications, harmful side effects, and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
What Can We Do?
Panels that set health goals should be free from industry influence and guided by unbiased, independent evidence. This would allow healthcare providers to focus on what’s best for each patient rather than applying one-size-fits-all goals.
As patients, staying informed is crucial. Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor why a treatment is being recommended or whether it’s truly necessary. Understanding the risks and benefits of medications empowers you to make better choices about your health.
The Bottom Line
Drug companies shouldn’t dictate our health goals. When they influence health targets, it erodes trust in medicine and can lead to unnecessary harm. At RxBalance, we believe everyone deserves clear, honest information about their health.
Change isn’t easy, especially when powerful industries have so much at stake. Before going on any medication, talk to your doctor about the appropriate blood pressure recommendations for your age, gender, and specific medical conditions. Informed patients can make decisions that prioritize their health—not someone else’s bottom line.
Based on decades of experience in medical advertising, we expose the hidden side of the pharmaceutical industry’s story — empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health.
References:
New Blood Pressure Guidelines a Boon for Big Pharma
Blood pressure targets for older adults with high blood pressure
A Reuters Series: Out of Control – America’s losing battle against diabetes