It is not uncommon for people to become frustrated when results are slow or seemingly not existent. This is particularly alarming when the intent is related to controlling a disease. Researchers have found that five to 15 percent of all patients with hypertension fail to respond to drug treatment and although many attempt to control the condition with some behavior and/or dietary changes, the impact is often frustrating. Due to the fact that arterial hypertension is among the most common chronic diseases among western industrialized nations and is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality - it is necessary to identify effective interventions.

Additional treatment options are now available in cases of resistant hypertension. Alongside the established procedures, researchers suggest there now stands new and promising interventions including renal sympathetic denervation. In a 2011 journal article, Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, Felix Mahfoud, Frank Himmel and co-authors present the current treatment strategies for resistant arterial hypertension which include several areas of focus. As is consistent with other disorders including obesity, it is necessary to implement a multimodal, interdisciplinary approach to treat resistant arterial hypertension. Physicians must first tailor drug treatment based on individual patient needs and then address reversible or secondary causes of hypertension in a systematic manner. As one might expect, the relevant areas of non-pharmacological treatment measures fall in the hands of the personal trainer and include optimization of weight, helping clients to consume a low-salt, high potassium diet, prescribing appropriate dosages of daily aerobic physical exercise, and encouraging abstinence from alcohol and caffeine.

In addition to the standard treatments authors suggest that some patients consider “minimally invasive renal denervation and baroreceptor stimulation as alternative treatment options for selected patients with resistant arterial hypertension.” Renal sympathetic denervation is an interventional procedure with a low rate of complications that can bring about a significant and enduring reduction in blood pressure. According to supportive evidence published in the Lancet (2010) authors suggest “activation of renal sympathetic nerves is key to pathogenesis of essential hypertension and therefore the effectiveness and safety of catheter-based renal denervation for reduction of blood pressure in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension is a relevant topic.” Several trials have demonstrated that the procedures do not present secondary complications and are very effective in managing resistant hypertension in conjunction with more traditional approaches. For individuals with resistant hypertension, investigating more progressive treatment options with one’s primary physician may be helpful in managing the disease.