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A trial which looked at the benefit of taking blood pressure lowering drugs to elderly patients aged over 80 years, was stopped early.

Researchers stopped the trial due to the significant reduction in mortality of those people taking the medication. The trial of 3,845 patients highlights that lowering blood pressure levels with medication helps to reduce mortality in those aged over 80 years.

The study was part of the HYVET (Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial).

Professor Bulpitt, HYVET Principal Investigator said, "It was not clear prior to our study whether the over-80s would benefit from blood pressure lowering medication in the same way as younger people. Our results are great news for people in this age group because they suggest that where they have high blood pressure, such treatment can cut their chances of dying as well as stroke."

Researchers are finalising the collection of data and will publish the study latter in the year.

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