Hypertension, or high blood pressure, poses a significant disease burden in today’s society, as it often leads to hypertensive and coronary heart disease. Hypertension is also a major risk factor for strokes, aneurysms, peripheral vascular disease and chronic kidney disease.
Resistant hypertension is a common form of high blood pressure, where blood pressure does not respond to medication. Resistant hypertension is defined as blood pressure that remains elevated, despite the use of at least three different blood pressure-lowering medications. Common secondary factors that contribute to resistant hypertension are patient non-compliance with medication; overactivity of the adrenal glands; or fluid retention due to kidney malfunction.
Luckily, when managed appropriately, hypertension is a preventable condition. Adjusting lifestyle contributions early on can eliminate the necessity for medication in the first place. These lifestyle changes may include diet; salt and sugar intake; exercise and weight loss; and illicit drug use.
If you would like to learn a bit more about how My Rehab Team could help facilitate these changes in your lifestyle, please contact us on 13004MYREHAB (1300469734) or through our website info@myrehabteam.com.au and have a chat to our dietician or physiotherapists.
References: [Online] Available at
(Accessed on 10th July, 2014)
Image courtesy of sherrie smith | Dreamstime Stock Photos @freedigitalphotos.net [Online] Available on: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net (Accessed 15th July, 2014)
