Journal of hypertension
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Journal of hypertension · Jan 2000
Relative influence of insulin resistance versus blood pressure on vascular changes in longstanding hypertension. ICARUS, a LIFE sub study. Insulin Carotids US Scandinavia.
Insulin resistance is associated with hypertension. The relative influences of hyperinsulinaemia and high blood pressure on vascular hypertrophy and carotid distensibility is unclear in patients with longstanding hypertension. ⋯ High systolic blood pressure was related to vascular hypertrophy, whereas hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance were not, suggesting that longstanding high blood pressure is a far more important determinant for structural vascular changes than insulin resistance at this stage of the hypertensive disease. However, hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance were associated with low distensibility of the common carotid arteries in the subgroup of never treated hypertensive patients.