Author/Authors :
Pimenta, Eduardo University of Queensland Brisbane - School of Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital - Endocrine Hypertension Research Centre and Clinical Centre of Research Excellence in Cardiovascular Diseaseand Metabolic Disorders, Australia
Abstract :
Resistant hypertension is an increasingly common medical problem, and patients with this condition are at a high risk of cardiovascular events. The prevalence of resistant hypertension is unknown, butdata from clinical trials suggest that 20% to 30% of hypertensive individuals may be resistant to antihypertensive treatment. The evaluation of these patients is focused on identifying true resistanthypertension and contributing and secondary causes of hypertension, including hyperaldosteronism, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, renal artery stenosis, and pheochromocytoma.Treatment includes removal of contributing factors, appropriate management of secondary causes, and use of effective multidrug regimens. More established approaches, such as low dietary saltand mineralocorticoid receptor blockers, and new technologies, such as carotid stimulation and renal denervation, have been used in the management of patients with resistant hypertension.
