When we talk about blood sugar, we are usually discussing diabetes.
But did you know that even if your blood sugar is a bit high but not at diabetes levels, it can still be bad for your heart?
A big study from London just confirmed this, and here’s what they found out.
Blood Sugar: It’s Not Just About Diabetes
Sugar in our blood comes from the food we eat. When we eat sweets or starchy foods like bread, our body breaks it down into sugar.
This sugar is then used by our cells for energy. However, if we have too much sugar in our blood for a long time, it can lead to health problems, like diabetes.
But even if you don’t have diabetes, just having a bit more sugar than usual in your blood can be harmful.
The study in London found that people with slightly high blood sugar have a higher chance of getting heart diseases. And this is true for both men and women.
Heart Diseases and Gender
Men and women are different in many ways, and how they react to blood sugar is also different.
This study showed that women with diabetes have a higher risk of getting heart diseases than men. But, when the scientists looked closely, they found that other things might be affecting this result.
For example, body size and the medicines people take can change the results. Once they considered these, the extra risk women had seemed to go away.
This means that other factors, like body size and medication, are also important when we talk about blood sugar and heart health.
Another surprising thing they found was that more men than women were taking medicines that protect the heart. These medicines can lower blood pressure or reduce harmful fats in the blood.
So, why were fewer women taking them? This question needs more research, but it shows that sometimes, women might not be getting the same treatment as men.
What Can We Do for Our Heart?
Protecting our heart is crucial. We can start by watching our blood sugar. But, how can we know if our blood sugar is okay? Going for regular health check-ups can help.
If you live in the UK and are between 40 and 74 years old, the NHS offers a free health check. This check can tell you more about your blood sugar and other things related to heart health.
But, keeping an eye on blood sugar is just one part. Eating healthy food, staying active, and not smoking are essential too. All these things can help keep our heart in good shape.
The study also suggests that some people might benefit from medicines that protect the heart. But, this doesn’t mean everyone should start taking them. It’s always best to talk to a doctor about any health concerns.
To sum it up, having too much sugar in our blood isn’t great, whether we have diabetes or not. This sugar can increase our chances of having problems with our hearts.
So, it’s essential to eat healthily, be active, and get regular health checks. And if you ever have questions about your health, asking a doctor is always a good idea.
If you care about blood sugar, please read studies about why blood sugar is high in the morning, and how to cook sweet potatoes without increasing blood sugar.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about 9 unhealthy habits that damage your brain, and results showing this stuff in cannabis may protect aging brain, and treat Alzheimer’s.
The study was published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe.
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