While studies have explored the link between insulin resistance and hypertension, there’s still no clear understanding of how exactly they’re related.

Insulin resistance and hypertension (high blood pressure) are two medical conditions that are often linked together. Both have similar causes and risk factors.

A doctor may also recommend similar treatments to manage insulin resistance and hypertension. These can include lifestyle modifications like exercise, a healthy diet, and weight loss.

In certain cases, a doctor may prescribe medications to treat high blood pressure or health conditions caused by insulin resistance.

This article examines how insulin resistance and hypertension may be related.

Many studies have linked insulin resistance to high blood pressure, but there is no clear understanding of how the former causes the latter. Researchers believe insulin resistance affects systems related to hormones, nerves, stress, and inflammation that cause high blood pressure.

Insulin is a hormone that your body uses to break down glucose to regulate your blood sugar. When you have resistance to insulin, your body needs more of the hormone to complete this process.

Causes of insulin resistance

Insulin resistance can be caused by:

Causes of hypertension

Hypertension occurs when your heart starts pumping blood through the body with a higher pressure than usual. This can put strain on the body and lead to serious health conditions over time.

Causes of hypertension are similar to those of insulin resistance, and can include:

Can blood pressure medications cause insulin resistance?

Some medications that treat high blood pressure can contribute to insulin resistance. These include:

The combination of insulin resistance and hypertension can lead to additional health conditions, including:

You may develop high blood pressure with insulin resistance before other associated health conditions like prediabetes or diabetes. Researchers believe this happens because insulin resistance affects the vascular system first before affecting other systems in the body.

Some studies suggest that women may be more affected by insulin resistance that leads to hypertension than men.

A study examined insulin resistance and hypertension in individuals who did not experience other associated health conditions.

The study found that in 4,717 participants, insulin resistance caused an increased risk (51%) of developing pre-hypertension and a 150% risk of developing hypertension over time. The study also found that insulin resistance predicted these elevations in blood pressure even for those with a healthy body mass index.

Insulin resistance and hypertension can both occur during pregnancy, and both conditions require monitoring and treatment.

Insulin resistance can potentially occur in pregnancy because the body does not process insulin as efficiently. This can lead to gestational diabetes.

Hypertension in pregnancy can cause early births and low infant birth weights as well as damage to your organs.

Your doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications as well as medications to treat Insulin resistance and hypertension during pregnancy.

Many of the treatments for both insulin resistance and hypertension involve lifestyle adjustments. These can include:

  • getting more exercise
  • maintaining a healthy weight
  • eating a healthy diet focused on whole foods with less salt and sugar

Medications for high blood pressure that may improve insulin resistance include:

Your doctor may recommend medications related to diabetes treatment to manage the condition.

Metformin is sometimes used to treat insulin resistance even in the absence of diabetes.

Research studies recommend the following diets to improve insulin sensitivity and high blood pressure:

  • fruits and vegetables
  • whole grains
  • fish and poultry
  • nuts and seeds
  • beans
  • vegetable oils

You should limit foods with excessive salt and sugar, as well as high fat meats and dairy. Additionally, you should reduce or eliminate sugary drinks.

Other approaches to eating with insulin resistance include eating more slowly and mindfully, and eating more calories early in the day. For example, eating a breakfast that’s high in energy and low on the glycemic index.

Low-glycemic foods include whole grains, beans, low fat dairy, and many fruits and vegetables.

If you have insulin resistance and hypertension, talk with a doctor about how best to manage these conditions. You want to avoid developing more serious health conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

There are no medications specifically for insulin resistance, but there are for hypertension. Lifestyle modifications such as diet, exercise, and weight management may also help improve these conditions.