Insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease risk factors in subjects with prehypertension

Prehypertension is considered to be associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD), and some data suggest that insulin resistance is common in this group. The goal of this study was to quantify insulin action by determining the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration during the insulin suppression test in apparently healthy individuals with prehypertension (n=126) and to elucidate the relationship between insulin action and CVD risk. We found a marked heterogeneity in insulin sensitivity in the prehypertension group, and when we divided the population into insulin-sensitive, insulin-resistant and intermediate groups, there were significant (p<0.01) increases in plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations and decreases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations with progressive degrees of insulin resistance. These data show that at least one-third of patients with prehypertension are insulin resistant, display the accompanying metabolic abnormalities, and merit enhanced surveillance and intensive efforts at therapeutic intervention to prevent CVD.