Achieving control of resistant hypertension: Not just the number of blood pressure medications

Figure 1 Diagnostic approach to resistant hypertension. ¹Only some of the diagnostic tests are listed here, as the history and physical will direct more specific and detailed workup.

Figure 2 Therapeutic targets in resistant hypertension. ¹Step one and step two are part of guidelines and apply to all patients. Step Three involving device-based modalities is still being studied, and is not yet recommended or in widespread clinical use. RAAS: Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System; ACEi: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor; ARB: Angiotensin II receptor blocker.