People at risk type 2 diabetes You may be able to prevent future heart disease.
A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that lowering blood sugar levels may lower blood sugar levels in people with prediabetes. heart attack risk In half.
Diabetes researchers and endocrine experts from Europe, China and the United States investigated how restoring blood sugar levels to normal levels affects the likelihood of subsequent heart disease, based on 20 years of U.S. research and 30 years of Chinese research, according to a press release.
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In both studies, prediabetic participants were instructed on appropriate behaviors. Lifestyle changes The goal is to lower blood sugar levels (the amount of glucose in the bloodstream) through diet and exercise, and also to lose weight.
The researchers divided the participants into a remission group (whose blood sugar returned to normal) and a non-remission group, which included people who were still in the prediabetic range. They then determined who in these groups died from heart disease or heart disease. was hospitalized Due to heart failure.
Participants who went into remission had a 58% lower risk of dying from heart disease or being hospitalized for heart failure. This group also had a lower risk of other major cardiac events and a lower overall mortality rate.
These cardioprotective effects persisted for decades after the program ended, the researchers found.
“Achieving remission of prediabetes is decades of benefits“This reduces the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure by half in a variety of populations. Aiming for remission may represent a new approach to cardiovascular prevention,” the researchers commented in their study presentation.
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Dr. Andreas Birkenfeld, study co-author and professor of medicine at Tübingen University Hospital in Germany, reiterated in an interview with Fox News Digital that reaching prediabetic remission is not only associated with slowing the progression of type 2 diabetes, but may also be associated with “a significant reduction in the risk of heart attack, cardiac death, and heart failure.”
“Importantly, this means that prediabetes requires timely, evidence-based interventions, especially lifestyle measures, Medication in some cases) can really make a difference,” he added.
This study had several limitations, including that it was based on an analysis of trials that were not originally designed to measure cardiovascular disease outcomes. This means that although the results show an association, they cannot prove causation.
In addition, immeasurable lifestyle habits, health factorsresearchers acknowledged that population differences and lack of randomization of cardiac outcomes may have influenced the reduction in cardiovascular risk.
Birkenfeld suggested that prediabetics should ask their doctors the following questions: “What is my current status? What is my personal cardiovascular risk? What is my blood sugar target?”
Patients should also ask about the frequency of testing of blood sugar levels and key risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney function and other related diseases. sleep apnea syndromehe advised.
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“If lifestyle changes are not enough or the risks are high, are drugs suitable for me? What are their advantages and disadvantages?” the researchers asked by way of example.
Approximately 98 million American adults (more than 1 in 3) have prediabetes, according to CDC data. Eight in 10 of these adults do not know they have the disease.
