Resistant Hypertension- A Review of Management Strategies

Resistant hypertension (RH) is defined as the condition in which the blood pressure remains above goal in spite of concurrent use of 3 antihypertensive agents of different classes. Prevalence of resistant hypertension is 10-20% of the general hypertensive population. Patients with resistant hypertension are at high risk for adverse cardiovascular events. After excluding pseudoresistance, two most important causes of resistant hypertension are concomitant use of drugs and secondary causes. Management includes careful selection of antihypertensive drugs, lifestyle changes, treatment of secondary causes of hypertension, and discontinuation/ minimizing drugs that can cause hypertension. Invasive treatment option at present is an era to be explored.