Chicago ? Contrary to the prevailing belief among cardiologists, reducing blood pressure in people over the age of 80 can sharply reduce the number of heart attacks, strokes and deaths, researchers said Monday.

Treatment with one or two inexpensive, well-tolerated drugs produced a 21 percent drop in overall mortality – such a significant decrease that the study was ended prematurely so all the participants could benefit from the treatment, British researchers said.

The findings were presented at a Chicago meeting of the American College of Cardiology and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.

Researchers previously had thought, based on small studies, that controlling blood pressure in the elderly might reduce the risk of stroke while increasing the risk of death, requiring them to balance the risks and benefits of therapy.