Hyperinsulinemia and Cardiovascular Disease in Elderly Men

Abstract—Hyperinsulinemia has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but whether this relation is independent of other CVD risk factors is uncertain. Most studies have focused on coronary heart disease (CHD), but few have included peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and stroke. Moreover, evidence in elderly and minority populations is limited. Between 1991 and 1993, 3562 elderly (71 to 93 years) Japanese-American men from the Honolulu Heart Program were examined and had fasting insulin levels measured. Hyperinsulinemia, defined as a fasting insulin $95th percentile among nonobese men with normal glucose tolerance and no diabetic history or medication use, was observed in 22% of the population. Subjects with hyperinsulinemia had a more,adverse CVD risk factor profile and had higher age-adjusted prevalences of