My blood pressure has been 140/90 for the last 25+ years. Recently the medical community here in Minnesota has been pressuring me to aim for 120/70. I tried a prescription diuretic. It didn't lower my pressure at all, and I developed purple bruising in my right arm. Atenolol did lower my pressure, but the side effects were less than desirable, so I quit it. I'm currently not taking any blood pressure medication. I feel fine. At 50 I'm going to the gym 3 times a week and spending an hour on the elliptical stepper burning 1050 to 1085 calories. My resting heart rate is in the mid 70's. I work 45+ hours a week, at 6' 2" and 220 lbs am slightly over my ideal weight. I watch my diet closely. I really wish the medical community would have a more realistic target for blood pressure. Attempts at lowering it left me feeling miserable.