Emergency situations first: If you experience sudden chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting/confusion, or sudden speech/vision disturbances, seek immediate emergency medical attention.
General referral: In cases of hypertension that cannot be adequately controlled with medication, the first step is referral to an internal medicine or cardiology specialist. The assessment should verify medication adherence and accurate blood pressure measurements; home or 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring should be used to determine the actual control status. Cardiovascular risk assessment is performed considering factors such as accompanying diabetes, COPD, and high BMI. Tests such as kidney function tests, electrolytes, urinary protein/creatinine ratio, ECG, and if necessary, fundus examination may be requested. When the possibility of resistant hypertension is considered, screening for secondary causes and referral to relevant specialties (nephrology, endocrinology, etc.) may be necessary. Lifestyle support (weight control, salt restriction, regular physical activity, smoking cessation, blood sugar control) is important as general information. The information provided on this page does not replace diagnosis or treatment; Consult a specialist for a definitive assessment and treatment decision.