Blog 6: Treatment-resistant Hypertension

Hypertension (HTN), also known as high blood pressure, is a growing issue for countries all over the world. It affects nearly 972 million people worldwide. There have been many efforts to lower this number and even with multiple new therapies introduced a great portion of people with hypertension lack blood pressure control. Hypertension can lead to cardiovascular problems such as stroke and heart attack, as well as heart failure and kidney disease when not kept under control. The issue with hypertension is that it has no symptoms or warning signs. This is why it is also known as the “silent killer.”

Out of Erlangen, Germany, an international survey was conducted on treatment-resistant hypertension (rHTN). Research suggests that 28 percent of treated hypertensive individuals are considered resistant to treatment. Virtually 120 million people worldwide are diagnosed with rHTN, which is defined as persistent high blood pressure despite treatment from three or more anti-hypertensive medications. Treatment-resistant hypertension is typically caused by multiple factors including lifestyle and underlying conditions, which then requires making its diagnosis and managing it. By having rHTN, the patient automatically has an increased risk for cardiovascular events, including stroke and heart attack, as compared to those who have controlled hypertension.

Power Over Pressure, a coalition of global hypertension experts endorsed by the American Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Hypertension, commissioned a global study of uncontrolled hypertension patients, half of whom were treatment-resistant. The survey included more than 4,500 uncontrolled hypertension patients in Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Results indicated that people with rHTN are very worried about their overall health. Fifty-seven percent of patients reported that they are often anxious about managing their blood pressure and forty-one percent reported feelings of being powerless to control their high blood pressure. So hopefully, with the help of Power Over Pressure and regular blood pressure checks, the diagnosis and management of treatment-resistant hypertension will greatly improve.

http://www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/Patient_230/Treatment-Resistant-Hypertension-Exerts-A-Serious-Emotional-Toll-on-Patients.shtml

Page Odom

03/04/13

9:26 PM