Research suggests insulin resistance and stroke risk could be linked

Research carried out by the University of Rochester, New York, suggests that higher levels of insulin resistance could be linked with the risk of ischemic stroke in people without diabetes .
An ischemic stroke occurs is a stroke which results from the blood supply to the brain being blocked. It is the most common cause of strokes, accounting for almost 90 per cent of cases.
Over 1,500 participants took part in the study over a period of nine years. Participants who scored the highest levels of insulin resistance recorded an increased risk of ischemic stroke compared with lower levels of insulin resistance.
The study used the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, which takes into account both fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels to measure insulin resistance. Whilst the participants chosen for the study did not have diabetes, the study is of relevance to those with pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes .
Researchers note that those with the highest levels of insulin resistance were had a higher percentage of people of obesity, were more sedentary and had higher blood pressure . Therefore the study cannot say that insulin resistance is necessarily a cause of higher stroke risk itself but the study does suggest it could be at least be an indicator of higher risk.