INSULIN, VASCULAR REACTIVITY AND HYPERTEN SION

Several epidemiological studies have shown that there is a relationshi p between hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and arterial hypertensi on. insulin produces sympathetic nervous system stimulation, enhances renal sodium retention and it directly modifies vascular mechanisms in volved in both contraction and relaxation of the vascular smooth muscl e. These actions of insulin could lead either to elevation or reductio n of blood pressure. The absence of vasodilation due to insulin resist ance and/or the enhancement of the hypertensive effects due to hyperin sulinemia could be the link between insulin and hypertension.