High blood sugar may not just be a problem for diabetics anymore.
According to two studies, elevated blood sugar increases the risk
of heart disease for both diabetics and non-diabetics with high-normal
readings.
Though high blood sugar is usually associated with health problems
such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, the studies suggest
the core of the problem exists with high blood sugar itself.
Diabetes is already known to be bad for
the heart:
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The risk of cardiovascular disease is doubled in patients with
diabetes
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70-80 percent of diabetics die from heart attacks, strokes
and artery disease
Researchers recommend diabetics pay doubly close attention to their
diet, weight loss, exercise and medication. Even non-diabetics with
high-normal readings are urged to lower their blood sugars by eating
healthier and exercising more.
In the first study, researchers reviewed over 10,000 people, including
several hundred with diabetes, ranging from age 45 to 79. The subjects
were monitored over a time span of six years. With just one reading,
researchers were able to find the subjects' average blood sugar
over the previous two to three months.
The study concluded:
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A reading below 7 percent was considered normal, whereas a
reading higher usually indicated diabetes.
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Most people tested had a reading of 5 percent of more.
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For every percent increase over a reading of 5 percent, the
risk of cardiovascular problems and death increased.
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Risks from sugar were still evident even after researchers
accounted for blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, smoking
and previous heart attacks or strokes.
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The blood sugar readings posed the question that "normal"
blood sugar may be too high.
In the second study, researchers analyzed 13 previous studies.
Ten of the studies focused on the most common form of diabetes,
Type 2 diabetes, which is sometimes referred to as adult onset diabetes.
They discovered an increase in glycosylated hemoglobin meant an
increase in the risk of heart disease, stroke and artery disease
in the legs.
The other three studies analyzed focused on Type 1 diabetes, which
usually occurs during childhood. Results were similar in these studies,
though not statistically significant. Overall, the second study
indicated that even a one percent decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin
would benefit people with diabetes.
New
York Times September 21, 2004
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