A recent study conducted in the UK has found that individuals with blood sugar levels that qualify as prediabetes, but not diabetes, have a higher risk of heart failure and stroke. The study included over 427,000 participants, approximately half of whom were men and women, and followed them from 2006 to 2021. The researchers categorized the participants based on their average blood sugar level over a three-month period, ranging from low-normal to prediabetes to diabetes.
The study revealed that individuals with elevated blood sugar levels, even those with prediabetes, have a 30% to 47% higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or heart failure. Interestingly, the study also found that women with prediabetes had a higher cardiovascular risk than men. However, when lifestyle factors and medication use were taken into account, the differences in relative risk between men and women diminished.
Dr. Daniel Kiss, an interventional cardiologist, emphasized that blood glucose levels exist on a spectrum of cardiovascular risk. He also noted that medication use can help reduce this risk. Dr. Sharleen Sidhu, an endocrinologist, added that individuals with diabetes, especially if it is uncontrolled, are at a high risk for cardiovascular disease.
The study further revealed that individuals with lower normal blood sugar levels had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This suggests that maintaining better blood sugar control can lead to a reduction in complications such as stroke, heart attack, elevated blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
The researchers emphasized the importance of lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise, in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and associated cardiovascular risks. They recommended a balanced diet low in refined carbohydrates, saturated fat, and added sugars, while emphasizing the consumption of complex carbohydrates, non-starchy vegetables, and raw fruit. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the green Mediterranean diet were specifically mentioned as beneficial.
In conclusion, this study highlights the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases among individuals with prediabetes. It underscores the importance of lifestyle changes, medication use, and blood sugar control in reducing this risk. Regular health check-ups and surveillance for potential risk factors are also recommended.