Insulin resistance occurs when the body can't use insulin efficiently. To compensate, the pancreas releases more and more insulin to try to keep blood sugar levels normal. Gradually, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas become defective and ultimately decrease in total number. As a result, blood sugar levels begin to rise, causing full-blown diabetes to develop.

This is why insulin resistance is considered a core metabolic dysfunction of type 2 diabetes. More than 60 million Americans have insulin resistance. One in four people develop type 2 diabetes.

Hyperglycemia (too much glucose in the blood) and hyperinsulinemia (too much insulin in the blood) in a fasting individual indicates a person may have insulin resistance.

About Insulin Resistance and Heart Disease

The American Heart Association considers diabetes one of the six major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In fact, adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes.

Heart disease is the leading cause of diabetes-related deaths, yet many diabetes patients don't understand this risk or its cause.

Insulin resistance is a core metabolic dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes and an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Insulin resistance is associated with blood lipid imbalances, such as an increased ratio of small low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol, low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol, and increased levels of triglycerides, which cause atherosclerosis.

This content is reviewed regularly.  Last updated 09/05/08.