[Reduced glucose tolerance as a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases]

The term reduced glucose tolerance is often used to describe an intermediate phase between normal glucose metabolism and diabetes, and WHO discriminates between type 2 diabetes and reduced glucose tolerance. However, biologically there is no clear distinction between the two groups. As a biological phenomenon reduced glucose tolerance is important because it is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The article describes reduced glucose tolerance as a part of the metabolic cardiovascular syndrome, and several models which might help to explain some of the mechanisms. The distribution of musculoskeletal fibres, the impact of physical activity, and the relation between insulin and blood pressure, lipids and the disposition for thrombosis, are discussed. Genetic disposition is also an important factor. The research in this field is rapidly increasing, and a survey can only be a snapshot. However, greater understanding of the mechanisms linking reduced glucose tolerance and the metabolic cardiovascular syndrome is a strong argument to focussing the total risk profile, and not only, single risk factors, in preventive cardiovascular medicine.