What is resistant high blood pressure?

What is resistant high blood pressure?

High blood pressure ( Hypertension ) is blood pressure that does not show any response to is called as resistance BP. Particularly, it is defined as blood pressure that remains elevated above treatment goals in spite of taking maximum three drugs that includes also a diuretic (Drugs for urine excretion). As it is difficult to treat few cases, and may require a combination of multiple drugs before control is established, it cannot be called resistant until this three-drug combination has been tried.

Diagnosis of Resistant high blood pressure (Hypertension)

Resistant high blood pressure (Hypertension) is diagnosed when the blood pressure continues to be elevated despite trying combination therapy with three drugs. The standard guidelines state that:

* Proper blood pressure measurement process must be used
* The size of the blood pressure cuff should be double checked for accuracy
* The blood pressure readings must be recorded on two separate occasions
* Blood pressure should be taken in sitting and lying position.

Causes of Resistant high blood pressure (Hypertension)?

There are many factors that can cause resistant high blood pressure (Hypertension), and proper medical testing is required to investigate each of these potential causes. The three most common causes of resistant high blood pressure (Hypertension) are:



* Patient is not showing compliance with treatment, i.e. not taking medicine regularly.
* Secondary high blood pressure (Hypertension) (Usually from overactive adrenal glands or pheochromocytoma)
* Fluid retention (usually expansion from kidney failure)

Secrets of High Blood Pressure Treatment

Secrets of High Blood Pressure Treatment

Medical scientists are fighting this life-threatening disease and they have gained some success. That is the development of several classes of antihypertensive drugs and definition of “normal” levels of blood pressure that should be maintained to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications and death.

Is it a great success? Unfortunately not. Pharmaceutical treatment can not reverse the disease. The patient with developed arterial hypertension can only hope to reduce the risk of high blood pressure complications. How big is this risk reduction? Relative risk reduction is less than 25% during 2-5 years for all major cardiovascular complications. It is higher for stroke (36-45%) and less for heart attacks (10-15%). When all risks are combined, the relative risk reduction is close to 25%.

Be careful and distinguish absolute and relative risk reductions. Papers and pharmaceutical ads always present relative risk reduction which is more impressive. They even do not mention that it is “relative”. That is because the absolute risk reduction could be as much as 0.2-2.0%. Does not impress you, right? Let’s take a clinical trial where 0.6% and 0.96% of patients had had fatal stroke in the treatment group and placebo group accordingly. Absolute risk reduction will be 0.96% - 0.60% = 0.36%, however relative risk reduction will be as much as (0.96% - 0.6%)/0.96% = 37.5%! Looks much better! Absolute risk reduction 0.36% means that from one thousand patients taking medication during 3-5 years, three or four could be saved from fatal stroke. Clinical trials don’t say what will happen with those saved patients after 5 years. Presumably, the risk is postponed towards after 5 years period. Clinical trials also do not say which particular patients will be saved. It is like lottery, it could happen that 4 saved patients is just a difference between 44 saved and 40 preliminary died due to pharmaceutical side effects. Vioxx, Celebrex, Baycol are the known examples.

Do You Suffer from High Blood Pressure or Hypertension?

Do You Suffer from High Blood Pressure or Hypertension?

Many people with high blood pressure or Hypertension want to know what kind of treatments are available to them. Many people don't know how to get their pressure down to more manageable levels once they're told they have high blood pressure. The fact is, the best pressure treatment is prevention. That is, not getting it in the first place is the best thing you can do for your body. That means getting some exercise, eating right and relieving stress in your life. Drugs can also help, as your doctor will help you. However, the best treatment is to prevent your levels from getting too high in the first place.

Lifestyle Changes Can Help

If you do have high blood pressure or Hypertension, there are some things you can do, some lifestyle changes that can be great treatments. For instance, get some exercise whenever you can. That means walking more instead of driving, playing with your kids, walking your dog, whatever. Get at least twenty to thirty minutes of moderate exercise two to three times per week. This will make your heart stronger and may actually work to decrease your blood pressure.

Improving your diet can also be a great treatment. Stay away from too many saturated fats and eat more fruits, vegetables and fibre. This should be a guideline for anyone, really, but it's also the best treatment.