Factors associated with true treatment-resistant hypertension
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study of factors associated with true treatment-resistant hypertension.
IRAS ID
185417
Contact name
Indranil Dasgupta
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
High blood pressure (BP) or hypertension is well known to be associated with risk of future heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Vast majority of the patients with hypertension have a well-controlled BP treated with lifestyle measures and/or BP-lowering medications. However up to 10% continue to have high BP (≥140/90 mmHg) despite 3 or more medications, defined as treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH). The risks associated with uncontrolled hypertension are even higher in patients with TRH. Therefore, there is a need for greater efforts towards improving hypertension outcomes in this population. There is currently a lack of research in this topic.
The aim of this research is to describe mechanisms associated with TRH. The factors which contribute to high BP are well known. In this study we will test whether some of these factors are present in patients with TRH. The study will be conducted at the Heartlands Hospital where there is an established specialist hypertension service.
All patients attending the hypertension clinic at Heartlands hospital, over a period of one year, will be screened. Patients who meet the eligibility criteria will be approached to take part. The patients recruited will include patients with controlled BP, patients uncontrolled BP due to not taking their medications as prescribed and patients with true TRH. Patients with true TRH will have uncontrolled BP, who take all their BP-lowering medications as directed and do not have artificially high BP, also known as the “white-coat” effect.
Patients will have blood, urine and non-invasive tests designed to describe which factors affect the patients recruited. Patients' medical history and routine test results will be obtained from their GP and hospital records. This will also allow the researches to find out whether there is a greater chance of heart, brain or kidney related diseases linked to TRH.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
16/SS/0162
Date of REC Opinion
9 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion