2024-09-20 14:15:37
Many high blood pressure patients take several medications to control the condition. But sometimes that is not enough.
Millions of Germans suffer from high blood pressure and take blood pressure medication every day to regulate their blood pressure. It can be frustrating for those affected when they find that their blood pressure is not being reduced sufficiently despite medication. So-called therapy-resistant high blood pressure can have various causes – and there are various ways to deal with it.
The official patient guidelines on high blood pressure have now been revised. For the first time, they provide answers to the question of what to do if a treatment does not work. For example, those affected should check with their doctor whether
Possible accompanying illnesses should also be checked by a doctor. According to the guidelines, sleep apnea, thyroid or kidney diseases, and hormonal disorders can be behind the high values.
A common problem is non-adherence. This means that patients find it difficult to take their prescribed medication every day. Pharmacy staff can provide support with this, for example by offering dosing aids or reminders.
The cause of therapy-resistant high blood pressure could also be discovered during a medication analysis: other medications could weaken the effect of the antihypertensive drugs or even increase blood pressure. This often happens with corticosteroids (cortisone-containing drugs). In such a case, the doctor must decide what steps should be taken.
Last but not least, it should be checked whether the non-medicinal measures are being adequately followed. To successfully treat high blood pressure, patients should reduce their salt consumption, eat a healthy diet and exercise a lot. Smoking, alcohol and energy drinks can also have a negative effect on blood pressure. Read more about this here.
In general, the patient guidelines advise that you, as the affected person, speak openly and honestly with your doctor about any concerns you may have to ensure that you receive the right treatment. “It’s not about criticizing you, but about helping you and finding solutions together,” it says. Only when all causes have been ruled out or resolved should the therapy be expanded to include another medication. Before this, an additional long-term blood pressure measurement is recommended.