A Man With Hypokalemia, Sleep Apnea, and Resistant Hypertension

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Background

A 59-year-old man with a past history of hypertension, hypokalemia, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, asthma, sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) presents for follow-up of his chronic conditions. During the two previous visits, his systolic blood pressure ranged between the 150s and the 170s, when measured in a sitting position. The patient reports that his blood pressure has always been elevated, and that the systolic pressure was in the high 130s at home.

He currently takes lisinopril 20 mg twice a day, hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg every morning, and extended-release nifedipine 90 mg once a day for uncontrolled hypertension. He takes extended-release potassium chloride 20 mEq twice a day for hypokalemia and metformin 500 mg twice a day for type 2 diabetes. Despite taking three antihypertensives from three different classes (an angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitor, a thiazide diuretic, and a calcium channel blocker), he continues to be hypertensive and to have hypokalemia, which requires potassium supplementation.

The patient does not report any associated symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, palpitations, headaches, muscle weakness, or changes in vision. His family history is not significant for cardiovascular disease (CVD), hyperlipidemia, or diabetes. He has no history of tobacco use, illicit drug use, or alcohol consumption.

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Cite this: Minh Chung, Eric Warren, Darshan Rola, et. al. A Man With Hypokalemia, Sleep Apnea, and Resistant Hypertension - Medscape - Jul 20, 2022.

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