Q: What should be the ideal blood pressure for a 70-yr old woman (my mother)? She is taking Eslo - 0.25 Mg tabs in the morning and Cardace 2.5 mg. at 9 p.m. Does she continue taking these medicines permanently?

A:The ideal blood pressure at all ages in adulthood should be less than 140/85 mms Hg. To keep pressure normal at all ages is extremely important. It is especially true in elderly people who are predisposed to strokes, kidney failure and heart problems. The need for drugs if required to bring down the problem is usually long term, often life long.