Diseases & Conditions

Overcoming resistant hypertension

This condition is more common among older adults who battle high blood pressure.

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch

photo of a senior man smiling and making a thumbs-up gesture while taking his blood pressure at home

Up to 70% of adults ages 65 and older have high blood pressure (hypertension). This is diagnosed when your systolic pressure (the top number on a blood pressure reading) of 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher or a diastolic pressure (the bottom number) of 80 mm Hg or higher.

Common drug treatments include calcium-channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), and diuretics, given either individually or in combination. Calcium-channel blockers help blood vessels relax, ACE inhibitors and ARBs block a key hormone pathway involved in raising blood pressure, and diuretics eliminate excess sodium and water in the body. Adopting healthy habits that help lower high blood pressure is also an important part of the treatment strategy — like losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing salt in your diet, and being more active.

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About the Author

photo of Matthew Solan

Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch

Matthew Solan is the executive editor of Harvard Men’s Health Watch. He previously served as executive editor for UCLA Health’s Healthy Years and as a contributor to Duke Medicine’s Health News and Weill Cornell Medical College’s … See Full Bio
View all posts by Matthew Solan

About the Reviewer

photo of Howard E. LeWine, MD

Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing

Dr. Howard LeWine is a practicing internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Chief Medical Editor at Harvard Health Publishing, and editor in chief of Harvard Men’s Health Watch. See Full Bio
View all posts by Howard E. LeWine, MD

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As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.

No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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