Insulin resistance in the oral glucose tolerance test--a link with hypertension

Insulin resistance was evaluated in 807 middle-aged subjects at a health survey, with use of an index measured in 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests. The mean value of insulin resistance was higher in a hypertensive group than among the normotensives, independent of body mass index, physical activity, smoking sex, age, and thiazide treatment. One-third of the hypertensives had a high resistance value. Another third of the hypertensives, and also about one-third of the normotensives, had a slightly increased resistance. The remaining third of the hypertensives had a normal-low resistance. A high resistance was also independently related to obesity, low physical leisure time activity, and a family history of NIDDM, but not to a family history of hypertension. The statistical analysis implied a sequence of events: low physical activity might cause high resistance, which in turn might cause high blood pressure.