Insulin resistance and hyper-insulinemia in patients with ischemic heart disease

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia in non-diabetic patients having Ischemic Heart Disease. A cross-sectional case control study of 50 patients [4-8 weeks after myocardial infarction] and a comparable group of 10 healthy volunteers. Out-patient department and North Medical Ward of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Main outcome measures: Determination of hyper-insulinemia and insulin resistance using HOMA method. The study group showed significantly higher insulin level 7.2 +/- 7.56 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.85 [p=.0001] and higher insulin resistance 32.69 +/- 34.05 vs. 8.58 +/- 2.97 [p=.001] as compared to control group, while all other traditional risk factors were comparable in the two groups. It appears that insulin resistance and resultant hyper-insulinaemia is common in patients recovering from acute myocardial infarction and may be an independent risk factor in the development of ischaemic from acute myocardial infarction and may be an independent risk factor in the development of ischaemic heart disease