Insulin Resistance/Hyperinsulinemia, Neglected Risk Factor for the Development and Worsening of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) has become a subject of continuous interest since it was declared a new pandemic in 1997 because of the exponential increase in hospitalizations for HF in the latest years. HF is the final state to which all heart diseases of different etiologies lead if not adequately treated. It is highly prevalent worldwide, with a progressive increase with age, reaching a prevalence of 10% in subjects over the age of 65 years. During the last two decades, it was possible to see that the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) was increasing while that of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) was decreasing. HFpEF is typically characterized by concentric remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) with impaired diastolic function and increased filling pressures. Over the years, also the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR)/hyperinsulinemia (Hyperins) in the general adult population has progressively increased, primarily due to lifestyle changes, particularly in developed and developing countries, with a range that globally ranges between 15.5% and 46.5%. Notably, over 50% of patients with HF also have IR/Hyperins, and the percentage is even higher in those with HFpEF. In the scientific literature, it has been well highlighted that the increased circulating levels of insulin, associated with conditions of insulin resistance, are responsible for progressive cardiovascular alterations over the years that could stimulate the development and/or the worsening of HFpEF. The aim of this manuscript was to review the scientific literature that supports a pathophysiologic connection between IR/Hyperins and HFpEF to stimulate the scientific community toward the identification of hyperinsulinemia associated with insulin resistance as an independent cardiovascular risk factor in the development and worsening of HF, believing that its adequate screening in the general population and an appropriate treatment could reduce the prevalence of HFpEF and improve its progression.

Keywords

• insulin
• insulin signaling
• insulin resistance
• hyperinsulinemia
• cardiovascular system
• cardiovascular diseases