This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Diabetes: Aspirin Heart Perk Questioned
Studies Show Low-Dose Aspirin May Not Lower Heart Risks in Diabetes Patients With No History of Heart Disease
Reviewed by
Elizabeth Klodas, MD, FACC
Nov. 10, 2008 -- Taking low-dose aspirin may not prevent diabetes patients from experiencing heart "events," new research shows.
Those findings come from a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association and another study published last month in BMJ. Those two studies don't question the heart benefits of low-dose aspirin in people who already have heart disease. Instead, the new studies are about aspirin's effects on people with diabetes who have no history of heart disease.
The researchers aren't closing the door on aspirin for diabetes patients, but "the decision to prescribe aspirin should be made on an individual patient basis," states an editorial published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Aspirin, Diabetes, and Heart Disease
Diabetes makes heart disease more likely. So the two new studies tested whether taking low-dose aspirin helped prevent heart attacks and other cardiovascular events (strokes, death from heart disease, etc.) in diabetes patients without a history of heart disease.
One of the studies, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, took place in Japan and included 2,539 adults with type 2 diabetes who typically stayed in the study for about four years.
The other study, published last month in BMJ's "Online First" edition, took place in Scotland and included 1,276 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who were followed for about six years.
The studies were designed differently. The Japanese study didn't use a placebo, and half of the patients in the Scottish study also got antioxidant supplements.
But in both studies, the bottom line was the same: There was no sign that taking low-dose aspirin lessened the patients' odds of having their first cardiovascular event.
Still, that may not be the final word on the topic.
For instance, the Japanese study had fewer cardiovascular events than expected, which might have made it harder to trace aspirin's effects. And in the Scottish study, the researchers note that "small effects may be shown with larger trials continued for a longer time."
Editorialists Weigh In
In BMJ, editorialist William Hiatt, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, writes that "although aspirin is cheap and universally available," it should only be prescribed for patients "with established symptomatic cardiovascular disease."
But in The Journal of the American Medical Association, editorialist Antonio Nicolucci, MD, of Italy's Consorzio Mario Negri Sud encourages doctors and diabetes patients to weigh the pros and cons of low-dose aspirin on a case-by-case basis until further research is available.
© 2008 WebMD, LLC. 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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