All About Resistant Hypertension

Resistant Hypertension is defined as blood pressure that remains high despite taking at least three different types of high blood pressure drugs, one of which usually should be a diuretic. People who have controlled high blood pressure but are taking four different types of medications at the same time to achieve that control also are considered to have resistant hypertension.

Occurence and prevalence of resistant hypertension

As older age and obesity are two of the strongest risk factors for uncontrolled hypertension, the incidences of resistant hypertension are likely to increase as the population becomes more elderly and obese. With increasing incidences of diabetes and chronic kidney diseases, its prevalence can be anticipated to increase.

Causes of resistant hypertension:

• Poor or inconsistent dosing

• Secondary hypertension usually from overactive adrenal glands

• Fluid retention, often the result of kidney failure

• The most common cause of resistant hypertension which is most difficult to treat is known as patient noncompliance, where an individual is not taking his or her medications as prescribed and is either skipping doses, dosing inconsistently, or experiencing lengthy gaps in treatment.

Symptoms of resistant hypertension:

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness

• Convulsion

• Changes in vision

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Anxiety

• Nosebleeds

White-coat effect

It means that your blood pressure is higher when it is taken in a clinical setting than it is when taken at home. If you experience white coat hypertension, you may also have a higher risk of developing certain cardiovascular problems compared to people who have normal blood pressure at all times.