Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas in response to blood sugar or glucose. If you have high insulin, it is important to understand that left untreated, high insulin levels can lead to heart disease.
Statistics
According to the American Heart Association, approximately 50 million Americans suffer from a metabolic syndrome, which is often marked by high insulin levels.
Symptoms
High insulin levels can affect the way that the body processes glucose, so that it is stored as fat rather than energy. Insulin resistance can cause dark skin patches, also called acanthosis nigricans, and can appear under the arms, on the back of the neck or on other areas of the body. However, many with high insulin levels do not have symptoms.
Signs
There are several signs of insulin resistance or high insulin levels, including obesity, high blood sugar levels, high triglycerides, high low-density lipoprotein, low high-density lipoprotein and high blood pressure; these can put stress on cardiovascular function and increase your risk of heart disease.
Significance
High insulin levels can also lead to artherosclerosis, which is when fat deposits or plaque clings to the walls of the arteries and leads to blockages. These blockages can cause you to be more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes because the body does not receive enough blood.
Treatment
In addition to a low-carbohydrate diet, it is essential to keep your weight or reduce your weight so it is within acceptable ranges. Regular exercise is crucial to maintaining proper insulin levels. In addition to lifestyle modification, medication may be prescribed to help you lose weight and prevent or control type 2 diabetes, blood pressure levels and other problems.
Tags: insulin levels, high insulin levels, blood pressure, blood sugar, heart disease, high blood