These medications may be used alone or in combination (ACE inhibitors and ARBs are not recommended for use in combination); the latter option may serve to minimize counter-regulatory mechanisms that act to restore blood pressure values to pre-treatment levels. Most people require more than one medication to control their hypertension. Medications for blood pressure control should be implemented by a stepped care approach when target levels are not reached.Previously beta-blockers such as atenolol were thought to have similar beneficial effects when used as first-line therapy for hypertension. However, a Cochrane review that included 13 trials found that the effects of beta-blockers are inferior to that of other antihypertensive medications in preventing cardiovascular disease. Resistant hypertension
Resistant hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that remains above a target level, in spite of being prescribed three or more antihypertensive drugs simultaneously with different mechanisms of action. Failing to take prescribed medications as directed is an important cause of resistant hypertension. Resistant hypertension may also result from chronically high activity of the autonomic nervous system, an effect known as neurogenic hypertension. Electrical therapies that stimulate the baroreflex are being studied as an option for lowering blood pressure in people in this situation.Some common secondary causes of resistant hypertension include obstructive sleep apnea, pheochromocytoma, renal artery stenosis, coarctation of the aorta, and primary aldosteronism. As many as one in five people with resistant hypertension have primary aldosteronism, which is a treatable and sometimes curable condition.
In a minority of cases, cytokine blockers have been used as a supplemental therapy to inhibit production of IL-6 (tocilizumab) or IL-1 (anakinra); TNF-α-inhibitors (infliximab) have also been used. Inotropic or vasoactive agents are often used for children with cardiac dysfunction and hypotension. Anticoagulants have been used. Low-dose aspirin has been used as an antiplatelet drug.Treatment strategies are being considered to prevent serious long-term complications such as coronary artery aneurysms (the main complication of Kawasaki disease). Close outpatient follow-up by a paediatric cardiology team has been recommended. Causes
While it has been hypothesized that the condition is related to COVID-19, it has also been emphasized that the potential link  "is neither established nor well understood." A temporal association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and clinical presentation of the syndrome is plausible. A causality assessment found that temporality was among the five (out of nine) Bradford Hill criteria that supported a causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of the syndrome. Further characterization of the syndrome is essential to identify risk factors and help understand causality. It is unclear to what extent this emerging syndrome has a similar aetiology to Kawasaki disease (a condition predating the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which is currently thought to be triggered by a distinct viral agent). Although some cases resemble toxic shock syndrome, there is no evidence that staphylococcal or streptococcal toxins are involved. The role of comorbidities is unclear. Improved understanding will have potential implications for clinical management. Genome-wide association studies are expected to provide insights on susceptibility and potential biological mechanisms.