What can diabetes do for you? The answer is simple. Nothing of value. However, according to researchers, being resistant to insulin can increase left ventricle mass. For a quick refresher on diabetes click here. This increase was found to be 2.5% per year. Putting that into perspective, if you could increase the size of your bicep muscle 2.5% annually eventually you would have some pretty big guns. I believe that comes out to be 1″ every 3 years. Researchers also found during a follow-up study that 46% of insulin resistant patients developed an enlarged left ventricle over 3 and 1/2 years compared to 10% of those which were not insulin resistant.
What does an increase in left ventricle mass mean?
This increase is called hypertrophy and simply means the walls of the left ventricle are enlarging. This enlargement is typical of hypertension of high blood pressure and is not to be confused with athletic adaptations. The left ventricle is responsible for sending blood into general circulation to the body and when the walls of the heart thicken this could lead to decreased ability of the heart to do its job (2) .
What can you do about it?
You need to find out if your insulin resistant. The authors suggest that you screen for metabolic syndrome which includes major risk factors such as diabetes and obesity. Early screening will help distinguish the paths you need to take in order to remain healthy. To remain healthy you need to exercise regularly and be consistent. You may need some encouragement in your nutrition and possibly even more help!
Diabetes is no joke.
1) Phend, C. (2011). EUROECHO: Left Ventricle Mass Increases With Insulin Resistance. MedPage Today. http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/EUROECHO/30121?utm_source=WC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Meeting_Roundup_EUROECHO
2) Brooks, GA, Fahey, TD & Baldwin, KM. (2005). Exercise Physiology: Human Bioenergetics and Its Applications. Boston: McGraw Hill. p. 304-305.
Photo Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
