When people talk about heart health and type 2 diabetes, the advice is often the same: eat better, move more, and keep your blood sugar under control. But a new study has found that there’s more to the story—especially when it comes to the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, a condition where the heart suddenly stops beating.
This study was shared at a recent diabetes conference in Hamburg, Germany. It focused on people with type 2 diabetes, a condition where the body doesn’t use insulin properly. These individuals already have about twice the risk of sudden cardiac arrest compared to people without diabetes. But researchers wanted to know—are there other hidden dangers they should be aware of?
The study was led by Peter Harms and his team in the Netherlands. They looked at health records of nearly 4,000 people with type 2 diabetes who lived in a region called Noord-Holland. Out of these, 689 people had experienced sudden cardiac arrest between 2010 and 2019.
To find out what might have raised the risk, the researchers compared the medical records of those who had a cardiac arrest with those who didn’t. They studied data from the five years leading up to each incident, including health check results and medications.
One of the most surprising findings was about certain medications. Some drugs that are commonly prescribed—like antibiotics used to treat infections, and antipsychotics used for mental health issues—were linked to a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Also included were medications for stomach problems like nausea.
These medications can change how the heart beats. They can make it take longer for the heart to reset between each beat, which increases the risk of it suddenly stopping. One example is a type of antibiotic called macrolides, and another is haloperidol, a drug used to treat mental health conditions.
While these medicines are helpful for many people, they may pose hidden risks for those with type 2 diabetes. That’s why it’s important to talk with your doctor about all the medications you are taking—not just those for diabetes.
Another surprising discovery was about low blood sugar levels. Most people think that keeping blood sugar low is always good, but the study found that very low fasting blood sugar was linked to a 150% higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest. This was especially true for people who didn’t already have heart disease.
This finding challenges the belief that “the lower, the better” when it comes to blood sugar. It suggests that being too aggressive in lowering blood sugar might be risky for some people.
The study also looked at people who already had heart problems. It found that kidney issues—shown by a condition called albuminuria, where protein leaks into the urine—were linked to a higher risk of cardiac arrest. Heart failure, another serious condition, also raised the risk.
So what does this all mean for people living with type 2 diabetes?
First, it’s still important to control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. But this study shows that there are other things to consider, too. Having a balanced approach to managing diabetes might be safer than just trying to get blood sugar as low as possible.
Second, medications matter. If you’re taking drugs for infections, mental health, or stomach problems, ask your doctor if they might affect your heart. There may be safer options or ways to reduce the risk.
Third, keeping an eye on your kidney health is key. Simple urine tests can show if your kidneys are under stress, and your doctor can help make a plan if any problems are found.
This research gives doctors and patients a more complete picture of how to care for people with type 2 diabetes. It shows that heart risks can come from unexpected places and that being informed can lead to better choices.
In the end, this new study reminds us that managing diabetes isn’t just about sugar—it’s about the whole person. And by looking at all the risks, not just the obvious ones, people with type 2 diabetes can take steps to protect their hearts and live healthier lives.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease, and Vitamin D could benefit people with diabetic neuropathic pain.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that Vitamin E could help reduce blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetes, and results showing eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
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