taking bp medication but not seeing results? here’s what might be going on

High blood pressure has long been a public health challenge in India, which is quite common and harmful. However, within this larger health issue lies a more elusive threat, known as resistant hypertension – a condition which causes your blood pressure to remain elevated despite the use of at least three different types of antihypertensive medications, including a diuretic.

According to studies, it affects around 10 per cent of people with high blood pressure. In India, where hypertension affects roughly one in four adults, this could translate into millions of people whose blood pressure simply isn’t responding to standard treatment. But we rarely hear about it – only in clinics, in policy discussions, or in public awareness campaigns.

“When blood pressure remains elevated despite optimal treatment, it signals a greater risk of cardiovascular events, faster target organ damage, and a heavier long-term health burden. What makes it even more dangerous is that it often masquerades as “just regular high BP” that’s “taking time to settle”, Dr Amit Bhushan Sharma, Director and Head of Intervention Cardiology, Paras Hospital, told Times Now.

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Patients may be asked to “wait it out”, while the disease quietly progresses. “By openly addressing this condition, we can shift care towards focusing on quality of treatment, not just quantity, and take control of our health,” Dr Sharma added.

Resistant hypertension is more than a lifestyle issue

Doctors say resistant hypertension is not just a matter of poor lifestyle choice or missed doses but an entrenched psychological process that requires careful investigation, long-term monitoring, and often, a tailored treatment approach beyond standard pharmaceutical drugs. Related News |

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“This condition requires more than simply increasing medication doses. It demands a thorough re-evaluation of the patient’s overall health, medication effectiveness, adherence, and potential comorbidities,” said Dr BC Kalmath, director and HOD, cardiac sciences, KIMS Hospital.

According to Dr Kalmath, in the majority of cases, an interventional and minimally invasive therapy, which is unique and novel, may be suited for these patients. However, resistant hypertension remains poorly understood outside of the clinical setting. Many patients internalise the problem by assuming they are at fault for not following the treatment plan effectively, while others fall prey to misinformation or delay seeking specialised care.

These misconceptions can interfere with timely diagnosis and access to potentially life-changing interventions. “Resistant hypertension isn’t about willpower or doing everything 'right. ” It’s a complex condition that calls for more nuanced investigation—sometimes with advanced testing, specialist input, or procedures like renal denervation. The first step is awareness. By replacing myths with facts, patients and clinicians alike can work together to find the right path forward,” said Dr Kalmath.