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Insulin Problems Add to Heart FailureWhat is the problem and what is known about it so far?Coronary artery disease (disease of the heart's blood vessels) is more common in people with diabetes. People with diabetes often are obese, have high blood pressure, and high levels of insulin in the blood -- all of which are linked to a heart failure called diastolic dysfunction. Little is known about the link of insulin resistance and diastolic dysfunction. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body does not handle insulin or blood glucose properly. Why did the researchers do this particular study?The researchers wanted to learn more about the link between insulin resistance and diastolic dysfunction in people with diabetes and a pre-diabetic condition known as impaired glucose tolerance. Who was studied?The study included 119 volunteers without disease of the heart or blood vessels. How was the study done?Each participant had a physical exam and lab tests to see how well their body handled insulin and blood glucose. Participants were also tested to measure how well their hearts functioned. What did the researchers find?Lab tests showed that 29 participants had normal blood glucose, 20 had impaired glucose tolerance, and 70 had type 2 diabetes. Heart function was best in people with normal blood glucose, less among those with impaired glucose tolerance, and poorest in people with diabetes. Participants with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes had impaired heart function. What are the limitations of the study?Researchers did not do a full range of tests to examine heart function, so some information may have been missed. Because people with heart disease were eliminated from the study, there were more female participants than males. And because none of the participants had disease of the heart or blood vessels, the results may not apply to them. What are the implications of the study?People with impaired glucose tolerance may have some heart failure even if they don't have diabetes or any symptoms of heart disease. The link between insulin resistance and heart disease needs more research. FOR MORE INFORMATIONDiabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke The Apple Shape: Causes and Effects Pre-Diabetes: What Is It and What Can I Do? |
Now Available! Late-breaking Diabetes research summaries Read the ADA's research magazine Forefront Wedding Diabetes Forecast - Free Issue! |
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