Management of drug-resistant hypertension as a heterogeneous disorder.

Summary: High blood pressure affects over a billion people around the world. For some, standard medicines just don't work. This is called "drug-resistant hypertension." It happens when a patient takes three or more blood pressure drugs, including a water pill, but their blood pressure stays too high. It is especially common in people with kidney problems or sleep apnea. Doctors are finding that adding a fourth drug, like spironolactone, can help bring blood pressure back down to a safe level and protect the heart.