Resistant hypertension, as the name suggests, is an extremely difficult to treat form of hypertension. The main feature of RH is the difficulty of lowering blood pressure while using 3 types of hypertension medications simultaneously.
Individuals who use 4 types of hypotensive drugs to obtain optimal blood pressure are also classified as having RH. It is estimated that up to 13% of people with hypertension have RT..
Causes and risk factors of RH
Factors that increase the risk of developing resistant hypertension are:
Resistant hypertension can also be related to the medications you are currently taking. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroids, oral contraceptives and many others can contribute to hypertension, so it is important to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
Other comorbidities can cause secondary hypertension. With proper diagnosis and elimination of the causative factor, we can reduce the resulting hypertension.
Diseases associated with secondary hypertension include hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, renal artery stenosis, Cushing’s disease and several types of tumors
Diagnosis and treatment During the diagnosis of RH, a blood pressure Holter (ABPM) and screening for the above-mentioned diseases are used. Treatment of RH mainly includes identification and treatment related to the aforementioned risk factors, as well as the use of diuretics, α1-adrenergic drugs and new generation drugs such as lercanidipine to reduce edema.