We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Resistant Hypertension?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,119
Share

Resistant hypertension is high blood pressure that does not improve with medical treatment. To be diagnosed with resistant hypertension, a patient must have tried at least three medications to control it, in addition to making lifestyle adjustments, or have controlled blood pressure only with the assistance of four or more medications. This type of high blood pressure is challenging to treat, but there are treatment options available, and it is important to manage it as effectively as possible, because high blood pressure can cause dangerous medical complications.

When a patient presents with hypertension at the doctor's office, conservative means to control it are often tried first. The patient is evaluated to look for any obvious causes, to see if it is possible to resolve the blood pressure by treating an underlying medical condition or changing an existing medication. The patient may be encouraged to make dietary changes and to exercise more, two measures that can lower blood pressure very effectively in many patients.

If the patient's blood pressure does not drop, medications can be tried to control it. In patients with resistant hypertension, the blood pressure does not decrease despite trying multiple medications and combinations. Some patients can develop secondary symptoms like edema, a buildup of fluid in the extremities, and their hearts and kidneys may be stressed by the consistently high blood pressure. It can take several weeks or months for a doctor to determine that a patient is not responding to hypertension treatment.

Once a patient demonstrably has resistant hypertension, more aggressive means of treatment may be explored. A common reason for resistant hypertension is patient noncompliance, where a patient does not or cannot follow instructions. Adjusting the treatment regimen to make it easier for the patient to follow it may help. Likewise, reviewing the patient's medications and lifestyle very carefully for any signs of conflicts or potential causes of high blood pressure may reveal something that can be changed to bring the blood pressure down.

Additional medications can be tried to bring the blood pressure under control, and the patient's secondary symptoms can also be managed. The timing of medication doses may also be changed. Studies have shown that taking blood pressure medication in the evening before bed can have more of an impact than taking it at other times, and encouraging patients to take medications consistently and at the same time every day can help resolve resistant hypertension.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-resistant-hypertension.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.