Establishment of a Difficult Hypertension Clinic in Whangarei, New Zealand: the first 18 months.

A Difficult Hypertension Clinic was established at Whangarei Hospital (Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand) in March 2006 in response to a perceived need amongst general practitioners. The experience with the first 150 patients is reviewed. Mean BP at referral was 162/89 mmHg, and mean number of antihypertensive drugs was 2.49. Mean BP at discharge from the Difficult Hypertension Clinic was 138/78 mmHg and mean number of antihypertensive drugs 3.16. The commonest cause of hypertension resistance was underprescription of diuretics. Secondary or contributory causes of hypertension were identified in 28 (19%) of patients, and white coat hypertension in three (2%). The Difficult Hypertension Clinic established in our hospital is an effective model for achieving clinical targets and care recommended in evidence-based guidelines.