Abstract

ENDOCRINOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS

*Dr. Pratima Tripathi

ABSTRACT

Normal endocrine function is essential for cardiovascular health. Disorders of the endocrine system, consisting of hormone hyperfunction and hypofunction, have multiple effects on the cardiovascular system. The syndromes of insulin resistance actually make up a broad clinical spectrum, which includes obesity, glucose intolerance, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome, as well as an extreme insulin-resistant state. Many of these disorders are associated with various endocrine, metabolic and genetic conditions. These syndromes may also be associated with immunological diseases and may exhibit distinct phenotypic characteristics. The metabolic syndrome, a state of insulin-resistance that is also known as either syndrome X or the dysmetabolic syndrome has drawn the greatest attention because of its public health importance. In clinical practice, no single laboratory test is used to diagnose insulin resistance syndrome. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings corroborated with laboratory tests. Individual patients are screened based on the presence of comorbid conditions. Treatment involves pharmacologic therapy to reduce insulin resistance, along with surgical management of underlying causes if appropriate. Comorbid conditions should be evaluated and addressed; this is generally feasible on an outpatient basis, though some patients will require admission. The metabolic syndrome requires aggressive control of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. In this study, the author investigates the impact of endocrine dysfunction on insulin resistance; cardiovascular system and the conditions to be evaluated and discussed.

Keywords: Insulin resistance (IR), Metabolic syndrome, Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), Pancreas, Insulin like growth factor (IGF).