Hypertension as a metabolic disorder--an overview

Hypertension is related to several conditions with abnormalities in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, such as obesity and impaired glucose tolerance. However, perturbed metabolism is also seen in non-obese hypertensive individuals. In addition, hypertension is linked to impaired fibrinolysis and elevated levels of the plasminogen activator inhibitor of endothelial type (PAI-1). Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia in essential hypertension may be an important cause of these metabolic and fibrinolytic abnormalities. Whether hyperinsulinaemia is the cause of hypertension is currently unknown. However, it is clear that the relationship between hypertension and insulin is complex, and further studies are required to clarify this association. Based on the evidence states, it is suggested that insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia play a role in hypertension. However, it is also clear that hyperinsulinaemia occurs in the absence of hypertension, which suggests that other factors, such as genetic susceptibility, may be important.