My blood pressure normalization journey — 6 month update

MikeFit_NJ said:

Mendelian randomization evidence supporting GLP-1 pathway modulation for cardiovascular risk: genetic variants in the GLP1R gene region associated…

This is where I part company with the consensus forming above. The "earlier than weight loss explains" argument is weaker than this thread makes it sound. Blood pressure and inflammatory markers move fast and are downstream of early weight loss, so the mechanism is not as cleanly separable as the summaries imply.

PharmacoVig_BOS said:

Prescribed on cardiovascular grounds rather than for weight, and almost everything written for patients assumes the opposite.

I'm 58 years old and want to share my perspective on cardiovascular risk as an older member of this community.

My doctor was initially hesitant because of my age, but the SELECT trial included patients up to 72 and showed consistent benefit across age groups. We started at the lowest dose with closer monitoring.

11 months later: down 38 lbs, off lisinopril, A1C from 7.6% to 5.3%. My cardiologist is thrilled. cardiovascular risk is absolutely relevant for older adults — don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

DataDave said:

The "earlier than weight loss explains" argument is weaker than this thread makes it sound.

Senior perspective on cardiovascular risk: I'm 63 years old and started this journey skeptically. My endocrinologist recommended it after years of failed interventions.

15 months later: down 56 lbs, more mobile, pain reduced, medications simplified. My quality of life has improved dramatically. I wish this existed 20 years ago.

To other older adults hesitating: the SELECT trial proved benefit in our age group. You deserve to feel good in your body regardless of age.

One thing that is still open after DeniseRN_TPA’s answer:

What did you change at the same time, and can you separate the two now?

james_edin said:

Senior perspective on cardiovascular risk: I'm 63 years old and started this journey skeptically.

Anti-inflammatory mechanisms of GLP-1 agonists and cardiovascular risk: beyond weight loss, GLP-1R activation directly suppresses NF-κB signaling, reduces NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and decreases monocyte/macrophage adhesion to endothelium[1].

Clinical correlates: hsCRP reduction of 30-60% (consistently seen across trials), reduced carotid intima-media thickness, and decreased coronary plaque inflammation on PET imaging.

These anti-inflammatory effects likely contribute to the cardiovascular benefit seen in SELECT — and may explain benefits beyond what weight loss alone would predict.