Health Expert Warns of Medication-Resistant Hypertension Stage in Philippines

With 16.8 million Filipinos living with hypertension, a health expert warned about a more complex and under-recognized stage of the condition that remains uncontrolled despite multiple medications, sounding the alarm on the need for consistent hypertension management and exploration of additional treatment options. The condition, called resistant hypertension, is a more advanced stage of high blood pressure in which blood pressure levels remain above the target range despite the use of multiple medications at optimal doses. Unmanaged blood pressure heightens the risk of various complications, Dr. Jhoanna G. Marcelo, a cardiologist at the Philippine Heart Center, said. “For some patients, blood pressure remains elevated despite treatment, increasing their risk of complications such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease,” Ms. Marcelo said in a statement. Dr. Marcelo added that identifying when hypertension is no longer responding to medication is crucial to help patients receive the most appropriate care for their condition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), of the 16.8 million Filipinos with hypertension, only 19% have successfully managed the condition within the recommended range. Amid concern over resistant hypertension, the release urged consistent blood pressure monitoring and regular reassessment of treatment plans, particularly for patients whose blood pressure remains elevated despite medication. Also, healthcare providers may consider renal denervation (RDN) for patients with resistant hypertension when conventional therapies fail to adequately control blood pressure, the release said. RDN is “a minimally invasive procedure that targets overactive nerves in the kidneys that contribute to high blood pressure,” it said. The release added that by targeting one of the underlying causes of uncontrolled high blood pressure, the procedure may support a more comprehensive long-term management approach for appropriate patients. “One of the challenges in treating resistant hypertension is that some patients continue to struggle with blood pressure control despite their best efforts,” Ms. Marcelo said. “The availability of RDN is encouraging because it expands the range of approaches available to physicians, allowing us to have more meaningful discussions with patients about their long-term treatment goals and management options,” she added. Although hypertension is manageable in many cases, a better understanding of resistant hypertension can help patients and healthcare providers identify the next steps to avoid serious complications, the release said. — Edg Adrian A. Eva