In 50 normotonic patients with type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) and controls matched for sex and age with NIDDM and hypertension a statistically significant difference was found as regards S-peptide values on fasting, cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI and atherogenic index (cholesterol/HDL, p < 0.01). C-peptide values correlated positively with values of the systolic and median BP and the atherogenic index in both groups. In normotonic diabetics there was also a positive correlation with the BMI and in hypertonic subjects with the triglyceride levels. The results confirm the hypothesis that in NIDDM there is a direct relationship between arterial hypertension, unfavourable lipid parameters and insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinism resp. The authors discuss possible mechanisms by which hyperinsulinism mediates a rise of BP, hyperlipoproteinaemia, hyperglycaemia and hirsutism (hormonal metabolic syndrome X and 5H resp.). These phenomena are the main risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and lead via heart attacks and cerebrovascular attacks (IHD and stroke) to a high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in our population. The morbidity and mortality is steadily increasing and thus we are among civilized countries among those with the highest morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 /complications/; Female; Humans; Hyperinsulinism /complications/; Hypertension /etiology/; Insulin Resistance; Male; Middle Aged