Insulin resistance and hypertension

In non obese, nondiabetic patients, essential hypertension is associated with an insulin resistance that is peripheral in location and metabolically selective. The correlations between hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and blood pressure values do not prove that the relationship is a causal one. Different data support this hypothesis, however, the demonstration in humans that insulin resistance play a central role in the development of essential hypertension and coronary heart disease is still lacking. The relative current failure of coronary heart disease prevention in hypertensive patients may be related to the metabolic side effects of diuretics and beta-blockers. These drugs increase insulin resistance and lipid disorders. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium antagonists do not decrease insulin sensitivity neither alter lipid profile. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium antagonists have significantly improve compliance to pharmacological therapy, however their use h...