Description

Uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) comprises the following entities (see “Alert” below):

• Resistant HTN: blood pressure (BP) that remains above goal in spite of the concurrent use of three antihypertensive agents of different classes. Ideally, one of the three agents should be a diuretic and all agents should be prescribed at optimal dose amounts. The diagnosis should not include “white-coat effect” or medication nonadherence, although these are common mimics.
• Secondary HTN: elevated BP that results from an identifiable underlying mechanism
• The 2017 revised ACC/AHA guideline recommends a change in the classification of HTN. For the purposes of this chapter, we are considering stage 2 HTN: systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg. The guideline is quite controversial. See “Hypertension, Essential” topic. Many experts still adhere to the JNC 8 guideline; they do not agree with a diagnosis or class of HTN for pressures below 140/90 mm Hg (1)[C].

Geriatric Considerations

• Onset of HTN in adults >60 years of age is a strong indicator of secondary HTN.
• In patients >80 years of age, consider a higher target SBP of ≥150 mm Hg. Be cautious to avoid excessive diastolic lowering. Elderly may be particularly responsive to diuretics and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.
• Systolic HTN is particularly problematic in the elderly.
• Secondary causes more common in the elderly include sleep apnea, renal disease, atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis, and primary aldosteronism (PA).
• Noncompressible arteries (Osler phenomenon)—mostly in elderly with arteriosclerosis: Brachial and radial artery pulsations are present at high cuff pressures.

Epidemiology

• Predominant age: In general, HTN has its onset between ages 30 and 50 years. Patients with resistant HTN are more likely to experience the combined outcomes of death, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke, or chronic kidney disease.
• Depending on etiology, age of onset can vary. Age of onset <20 or >50 years increases likelihood of a secondary cause for HTN.

Incidence
The age-standardized incidence in the United Kingdom is 0.4 cases per 100 person-years in 2015. Information in the United States is less clear.

Prevalence

• Prevalence of resistant HTN is estimated to be 10–15% (2). NHANES: 53% of adults are controlled to a BP of <140/90 mm Hg. The most common cause of apparently resistant hypertension is likely medication nonadherence.
• Secondary HTN occurs in about 5–10% of adults with chronic HTN.
• A recent study of secondary hypertension among otherwise healthy children with a diagnosis of hypertension indicated a prevalence of 3.7%.

Etiology and Pathophysiology

• Obstructive sleep apnea (25–50%)
• Primary hyperaldosteronism (8–20% of resistant HTN cases)
• Chronic renal disease (1–2% of hypertensives)
• Renovascular disease (0.2–0.7%, up to 35% of elderly, 20% of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization)
• Cushing syndrome (<0.1%)
• Pheochromocytoma (0.04–0.1% of hypertensives)
• Other rare causes: hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, aortic coarctation, intracranial tumor
• Drug-related causes (many)
  • Medications, especially NSAIDs (may also blunt effectiveness of ACE inhibitors), decongestants, stimulants, anorectic agents including herbals (e.g., guarana, ma huang, bitter orange), natural licorice (in some chewing tobacco), glucocorticoids
  • Oral contraceptives (OCP): Cessation of OCP may result in normalization of the BP. Postmenopausal estrogen does not appear to correlate as strongly (2).
  • Cocaine, amphetamines, other illicit drugs; drug and alcohol withdrawal syndromes
• Lifestyle factors: obesity, dietary salt, excessive alcohol, physical inactivity

Genetics
Genetic variants have been detected in patients with resistant HTN but are estimated to account for <3% of BP variance (2).

Risk Factors

A large cohort study revealed that those with resistant HTN (16.2%) were more likely to be male, Caucasian, older, and diabetic. Factors predictive of resistant or secondary HTN: obesity, diabetes, worsening of control in previously stable hypertensive patient, onset in patients age <20 years or >50 years, lack of family history of HTN, significant target end-organ damage, stage 2 HTN (SBP >160 mm Hg or DBP >100 mm Hg), renal disease, and alcohol or drug use

General Prevention

The prevention of resistant and secondary HTN is thought to be the same as for primary or essential HTN: a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, a low-sodium diet, weight loss in obese patients, exercise, limitation of alcohol intake, and smoking cessation. Relaxation techniques may be of help.

Commonly Associated Conditions

Sleep disorders; obesity