New Delhi, November 27 (IANS). A research has revealed that insulin resistance can increase the risk of aortic stenosis. Aortic stenosis is a common heart disease in men over the age of 45.
The study, published in the journal Annals of Medicine, may open the door to new treatments for aortic stenosis, which causes heart attacks.
This condition of aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve becomes narrow or does not open completely. Due to this, the blood flow from the heart to the body reduces. If this is not addressed in time, the valve can gradually become stiffer and narrower, causing the heart to work harder to pump blood.
Researchers at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland identified fasting insulin, proinsulin and serum C-peptide, several biomarkers related to higher insulin resistance in people with aortic stenosis.
A person is said to be insulin resistant when his body does not respond well to insulin. This causes the body to produce more insulin than normal to manage blood sugar levels.
The team found that these biomarkers remained important predictors of aortic stenosis.
“This new finding highlights that insulin resistance may be an important and modifiable risk factor for aortic stenosis,” said lead author Dr. Johanna Kuusisto, of Kuopio University Hospital in Finland.
“With insulin resistance becoming increasingly common, managing metabolic health may be a new way to reduce the risk of aortic stenosis and improve cardiovascular health in the aging population,” Kuusisto said.
For the study, researchers analyzed data from 10,144 men in Finland aged 45 to 73.
After a mean follow-up period of 10.8 years, aortic stenosis was found in 116 men (1.1 percent). However, insulin sensitivity can be improved by reducing weight and working out.
Kuusisto has called for further research so that people can be protected from heart disease.
–IANS
MKS/AS
