BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of hyperinsulinemia on left ventricular
(LV) structure and function in older hypertensive subjects
METHODS: Thirty-seven hypertensive subjects (17 men/20 women) aged 50 to 80
, were studied. LV mass were evaluated echocardiographically according to t
he Penn convention. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed
after overnight fasting, and both blood glucose and insulin concentrations
were assayed at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes. Comparison between gr
oups was performed by analysis of variance. A P value of .05 was considered
statistically significant.
RESULTS: When the hypertensive patients were divided into two groups accord
ing to the median value of 2-hour post-loading plasma insulin, there was no
difference in blood pressure levels between the groups. However, hyperinsu
linemic hypertensive subjects had an increased LV mass (P < .05), mean wall
thickness, and interventricular septum thickness (P < .05 for both paramet
ers) and had better systolic function-ejection and shortening fractions (P
< .0001 for both indices).
CONCLUSIONS: Hyperinsulinemia may be associated with increased left ventric
ular mass and with a better systolic performance in older hypertensive subj
ects.