What is insulin resistance?

Insulin is a vital hormone (produced by the pancreas) that increases absorption of glucose (sugar) from the blood into the liver and other tissues (such as muscle). All living cells in the body need glucose as a source of energy. Surplus glucose is stored in the liver as glycogen. When more glucose is needed (eg during exercise), glycogen is converted back to glucose.

Carbohydrate in food is digested and absorbed as glucose, causing a rise in blood glucose levels. More insulin is released from the pancreas, stimulating the tissues to take up the glucose.

Insulin resistance means that tissues are not as sensitive to insulin as they should be. As a result, blood glucose goes too high and more insulin has to be released. Permanently raised levels of glucose and insulin are bad for the heart and arteries. Insulin resistance has often been present for some years before a heart attack that appears to come out of the blue.

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