What should be the primary method of evaluating antihypertensive therapy?

The primary method of evaluating antihypertensive therapy is regular blood pressure monitoring. This approach is essential because it provides a direct measure of the effectiveness of the antihypertensive medications being used. Blood pressure readings help healthcare providers determine if the treatment is successfully lowering the patient's blood pressure to desired levels, which is the main goal of this therapy. Monitoring allows for timely adjustments to the treatment plan based on how well the patient is responding.

While analyzing patient mood, reviewing medication adherence, and conducting genetic testing can play important roles in a holistic approach to patient care, they are not the primary methods for assessing the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy. Patient mood may be influenced by various factors and is less directly related to blood pressure control, while medication adherence is important for treatment success but doesn't provide immediate feedback on blood pressure levels. Genetic testing may identify predispositions to hypertension or responses to medications, but it is not a routine evaluation method for monitoring ongoing therapy effectiveness. Therefore, regular blood pressure monitoring is the most critical and straightforward method to evaluate how well antihypertensive therapy is working.