Regression models were built in a stepwise manner: Model 1 is unadjusted, model 2 adjusts for age, gender, BMI, smoking, hypertension, serum levels of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, as well as for statin use, and model 3 for the covariates included in model 2 and, additionally, for serum insulin and plasma glucose as well as for anti-diabetic medication and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. Here, INS is linked to Hypertension.