Resistant hypertension: a dangerous and challenging clinical situation

Abstract

High blood pressure is a very important risk factor for the development of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), which are among the main causes of death globally.1 In particular, Resistant Hypertension (RH) predisposes individuals to a higher risk of CVD. RH is defined as the absence of blood pressure control despite the use of at least three classes of antihypertensive agents, one of them being a diuretic (when tolerated), in optimal dosage. The higher vulnerability presented by this group of patients is due to the prolonged period of uncontrolled hypertension and to the coexistence of other risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia.2 It is valid to emphasize that this definition of RH also extends to those patients which require at least four classes of antihypertensive drugs to maintain normal blood pressure levels.3–5