Table III.

Actions to Be Taken by Physicians to Improve Hypertension Treatment and Control

Become familiar with and adhere to the most recent hypertension guidelines.

Educate the patient on the risks of uncontrolled hypertension, the value of lifestyle modifications, and the benefits of drug treatment.

Motivate the patient toward an appropriate BP goal.

Treat aggressively with optimal doses of antihypertensive medications according to patient characteristics and recommended goals.

Follow up with the patient effectively to evaluate BP control.

Monitor the patient's adherence to the treatment regimens.

Perform appropriate adjustments and/or changes of the antihypertensive medication.

Carefully evaluate the possibility of resistant hypertension; identify and correct remediable causes.

Refer recalcitrant cases to a hypertension specialist.