[Blood pressure and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics]

The authors analyzed in 145 patients with Type 2, diabetes, persisting on average for 10 years, influences affecting the blood pressure reading. 1. In patients treated on account of hypertension (40%) the increase of systolic and diastolic pressure persisted and the fasting concentrations of C peptide were elevated. 2. In patients with elevated levels of diastolic blood pressure and C peptide the rate of cerebrovascular attacks in direct relatives was higher. 3. Higher blood pressure readings were associated with a higher C peptide concentration, signs of ischaemia on the ECG tracing and left ventricular hypertrophy respectively. 4. The higher blood pressure levels were associated also with other manifestations of insulin resistance, i.e. elevated triacylglycerols, low HDL cholesterol levels, raised uric acid levels. 5. Also in stepwise regression analysis the fasting concentration of C peptide held one of the important places among variables which contribute towards variations of systolic blood pressure. 6. These findings support the idea on common pathogenic influences of raised insulin concentrations on metabolism, blood pressure and the development of complications of atherosclerosis.