A hidden hormone imbalance may be the missing link behind millions of cases of stubborn high blood pressure. Credit: Shutterstock The MOMENTUM study revealed that 27 percent of patients with resistant hypertension have hypercortisolism. This finding is important because it shows that excess cortisol is far more common in these patients than researchers and clinicians previously believed. Resistant hypertension occurs when blood pressure remains high even after taking three or more medications.