Someone on blood pressure medication that is stable in terms of their blood pressure, it does not mean that the potential for them to progress to sustained insulin resistance would not happen, because of the function of the blood pressure medication. In fact, this is a critical point to understand and here’s why:

Blood Pressure Medication Treats a Symptom, Not the Root Cause: For a large number of people, high blood pressure (hypertension) is a symptom of an underlying metabolic issue, often intestinal permeability, gut bacteria imbalance and sometimes insulin resistance. The medication effectively lowers the blood pressure, but it doesn’t address the reason why the blood pressure was high to begin with. The underlying process of insulin resistance can continue to worsen, even if the blood pressure readings are stable. There is a large, concerning group of people, who have high blood pressure, who are insulin-resistant, but remain undiagnosed, a group that is also at heightened risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes and other serious health complications.

Some Blood Pressure Medications Can Worsen Insulin Resistance: This is a crucial point. Certain classes of blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics, can actually increase insulin resistance or worsen glucose metabolism. While they are highly effective at controlling blood pressure, they may have an unfavourable metabolic side effect. Therefore, someone taking these medications could be controlling their blood pressure while simultaneously accelerating the progression of their insulin resistance.

Insulin Resistance is a Progressive Condition: Insulin resistance is not a static state. It is a slow, progressive condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin over time. It can exist for years, even decades, without noticeable symptoms. While medication keeps blood pressure in a normal range, the underlying physiological processes that drive insulin resistance—such chronic inflammation, fat accumulation in tissues, and hormonal imbalances—can continue unabated.

Conclusion: A person on blood pressure medication whose blood pressure is stable does not mean they are free from the risk of progressing to sustained insulin resistance. In many cases, it’s quite the opposite. This highlights the importance of addressing the underlying lifestyle and metabolic factors (diet, exercise, stress, sleep) that contribute to both conditions, rather than relying solely on medication to manage one of the symptoms.