Epidemiology of hypertension and insulin resistance syndrome

INSULIN RESISTANCE SYNDROME: Insulin resistance syndrome (syndrome X) indicates that insulin resistance is associated with and may be the cause of several metabolic conditions including hypertension, dyslipidemia, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Although the association between insulin resistance and hypertension remains somewhat controversial, hypertensive subjects are clearly at increased risk of developing NIDDM. Insulin concentrations are a relatively weak predictor of the development of hypertension. It is possible that the relation between insulin, blood pressure and atherosclerosis may be weaker in blacks. However, antihypertensive agents that worsen insulin resistance may further increase the risk of NIDDM already present in subjects with hypertension.