Abstract

What is new in the management of resistant hypertension?

Author(s): Eduardo Pimenta and Michael Stowasser

Resistant hypertension, generally defined as blood pressure that remains above goal in spite of the use of three antihypertensive medications prescribed at optimal dose amounts, is an increasingly common medical problem, and patients with this condition are at high risk of cardiovascular events. Recent studies have shown that new technologies, such as carotid stimulation and renal denervation, and more established approaches, such as low dietary salt and mineralocorticoid receptor blockers, effectively reduce blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. In this article, we discuss the background, safety and effectiveness of these and other treatment approaches.