Effects of anti-aldosteronic agents in resistant hypertension

2011

Hypertension is defined resistant (or refractory) when it is not possible to reach the target values of blood pressure despite the contemporary use of three antihypertensive drugs at optimised dosage (1). Today difficult control of hypertension is more and more frequent in clinical practice. In recent years the role of anti-aldosteronic agents has appeared useful in the treatment of resistant hypertension; this condition seems to be related to the increase of the mean age. Subjects suffering from resistant hypertension mostly show an isolated high systolic pressure. In addition to advanced age, factors commonly associated are: increased levels of aldosterone and intravascular volume, chroni…