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Background: Resistant hypertension is a BP that is not controlled by three or more anti-hypertensive medications of different classes, including diuretics. Refractory hypertension is an evolving term reflecting a BP that is not controlled with five agents or more of different anti-hypertensive classes, including diuretics. Patient with refractory HTn has to have secondary hypertension workup. Case: A 45-year-old lady with a known past medical history of obesity, HTN, and DM-II. She was admitted as she had generalized fatiguability and vague chest pain. The ECG, and the TTE showed hypertensive heart disease. She had normal cardiac enzymes. Initial BP was recorded to be 185/127 mmHg. Consequently, she was commenced on anti-HTN medications. Her BP was difficult to control with the maximum doses of six anti-HTH medications (amlodipine, valsartan, hydralazine, indapamide, labetalol, spironolactone)(Fig 1). Decision-making: All the secondary causes of HTN were excluded; normal renin-aldosterone ratio, normal US doppler for the renal arteries, normal sleep study, normal CT chest and abdomen looking for masses, normal dotatate scan, and negative pheochromocytoma work-up. Because she had social stress, she was commenced on anxiolytics (alprazolam). Subsequently, the BP reading improved by around 10-20 SBP; however, her average reading continued to be around 160/90 mmHg. Conclusion: Refractory hypertension is a management dilemma, especially when the causes of secondary hypertension are excluded. Benzodiazepines can be a reasonable option in certain situations where the refractory hypertension is believed to be stress-induced.

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