This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Prediabetes May Raise Heart Deaths
Study: Prediabetes May More Than Double Adults' Odds of Dying From Heart Disease
Reviewed by
Louise Chang, MD
June 18, 2007 -- Adults with prediabetes may be more than twice as likely to die of heart disease as people without blood sugar (glucose) problems.
That's according to a new study from Australia.
Based on the findings, the researchers recommend boosting heart health in anyone with blood sugar problems, even if those problems are too mild to qualify as diabetes.
The study appears online in the rapid access edition of the journal Circulation. The researchers included Elizabeth Barr, MPH, of the International Diabetes Institute in Caulfield, Australia.
Barr's team doesn't give specific advice, but doctors can make recommendations to patients. Those tips may include losing extra weight, boosting physical activity, and getting good medical care.
About Diabetes and Prediabetes
In type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes in adults, the body doesn't make or respond to insulin properly. Type 2 diabetes makes heart disease and other health problems more likely.
In prediabetes, the body has started having problems handling blood sugar, but those problems haven't yet become diabetes.
According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, nearly 21 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, and 90% to 95% of them have type 2 diabetes; 54 million more people have prediabetes.
Many people don't know they have diabetes or prediabetes.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include fatigue, frequent urination, increased thirst or hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and slow healing of wounds or sores. Some people with prediabetes may have those symptoms, but most people with prediabetes don't have symptoms.
Diabetes, Prediabetes Study
The Australian study included more than 10,400 adults aged 25 and older who were followed for nearly five years, on average.
At the study's start, participants took two tests -- the fasting glucose test and the glucose tolerance test. They were 51-63 years old, on average, at the time. Diabetes becomes more common with age.
For the fasting glucose test, participants fasted for at least nine hours and then provided a blood sample.
For the glucose tolerance test, they drank a sugary beverage and then provided a blood sample two hours later.
Most participants didn't have diabetes or prediabetes. However, 858 had type 2 diabetes, nearly 1,300 others had impaired glucose tolerance, and an additional 610 participants had impaired fasting glucose.
Impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance can indicate prediabetes.
Higher Death Rates
During the follow-up period, participants with diabetes or prediabetes were more likely to die of any cause -- especially heart disease.
Compared with people without diabetes or prediabetes, those with diabetes were 2.3 times more likely to die of any cause.
Participants with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose were 50% and 60% more likely to die, respectively, than those with normal glucose.
People with diabetes or impaired fasting glucose were about 2.5 times more likely to die of heart disease than those without blood sugar problems.
Impaired glucose tolerance wasn't specifically tied to heart disease deaths, the study shows.
© 2007 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Is This Normal?
Get the Facts Fast!Answer:
Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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