Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Resistant Hypertension

As many as 30% of patients with hypertension have uncontrolled hypertension. Guidelines for this problem were recently published in Hypertension 2008;51:1403-19. This is extremely important because high blood pressure leads to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, congestive heart failure and other problems. The guidelines include a thorough physical exam and some basic lab tests. We also believe that an ICD test for cardiac output and vascular resistance helps define how serious the problem is. Lifestyle changes are recommended, including weight loss, low salt diet, reduced alcohol consumption, and exercise. Adding or increasing various kinds of water pills is often helpful. At COHA, we also recommend adding or switching to an herbal product called Natural Blood Pressure Relief, which is often extremely helpful.

See Hypertension (subscription required) and Family Practice News, October 15, 2008, page 9

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