High blood pressure treatment: watch out for special cases

WHILE high blood pressure is commonly managed by many physicians and there are guidelines for management of high blood pressure in the general population, there are certain situations where the usual approach to blood pressure management needs further understanding and fine-tuning according to the prevailing clinical situation. This week, management of high blood pressure in patients on renal dialysis, the elderly frail and those on cancer drugs will be reviewed based on the latest scientific evidence.

Optimal blood pressure for patients on kidney dialysis

Patients with kidney failure requiring dialysis often have blood pressure values that fluctuate during dialysis and out of dialysis. More than 80 per cent of patients undergoing dialysis have high blood pressure, and despite being under the care of physicians, 70 per cent of these patients continue to have elevated blood pressure.