[Insulin resistance, hypertension and atherosclerosis]

At least one fourth of the population has an elevated serum insulin concentration. In the majority diabetes is not involved but one of the symptoms of insulin resistance. The picture comprises also signs of the metabolic syndrome (impaired carbohydrate tolerance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension), as well as other less well known manifestations such as hyperuricaemia, the android type of obesity, impaired fibrinolysis, changes in the fatty acid composition. Manifestations of IHD may be also present. The gene is transmitted in families and hyperinsulinaemia may precede all other symptoms. There are procedures how to control insulin resistance: therefore it is essential to learn how diagnose its comprehensive clinical picture and provide treatment before life endangering complications develop.