New research reveals prediabetes as a significant independent risk factor for heart attacks.
Prediabetes, characterized by blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis, can often lead to diabetes.
While it’s known that diabetes can result in severe health conditions like heart attacks, stroke, and kidney problems, the link between prediabetes and heart disease has remained unclear until now.
A Wake-Up Call
Kavin Raj, M.D., the lead author of the study from Saint Peter’s University Hospital/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, advocates shifting attention towards managing prediabetes, not just diabetes.
According to the research, lifestyle modifications like adhering to a healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart attacks among patients with prediabetes.
Data Unveils the Risk
Analyzing data from around 1.79 million hospitalizations involving heart attacks, the researchers found that 1% of the patients had prediabetes.
Even after adjusting for heart disease risk factors such as age, sex, race, family history of heart attack, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and obesity, prediabetes was linked to a 25% increase in heart attack chances.
Prediabetes and Heart Procedures
In addition to increased heart attack risk, patients with prediabetes were found to have a 45% higher likelihood of needing a percutaneous intervention, a procedure to open blocked blood vessels. They also had nearly double the risk of requiring heart bypass surgery.
Importance of Early Recognition and Intervention
The study underlines the need for early screening and timely intervention of prediabetes through lifestyle changes or medications to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
By managing prediabetes, individuals can take essential steps toward preventing severe heart-related complications.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and what you need to know about avocado and type 2 diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about How to eat to prevent type 2 diabetes and 5 vitamins that may prevent complications in diabetes.
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