When we think about keeping the heart healthy, we usually focus on things like diet, exercise, and keeping blood sugar under control.
But for people who have type 2 diabetes, there might be other hidden dangers that we don’t often talk about.
A new study presented at a big medical meeting in Hamburg, Germany, has found some surprising things that could raise the chance of a very serious problem—sudden cardiac arrest.
Sudden cardiac arrest happens when the heart suddenly stops beating. This is different from a heart attack. It’s very dangerous and can lead to death within minutes if not treated quickly.
In rich countries, it causes about half of all heart-related deaths and one out of five total deaths. People with type 2 diabetes are already twice as likely to suffer from sudden cardiac arrest, so finding out what makes the risk even higher is very important.
Researchers in the Netherlands looked at the health records of almost 4,000 people with type 2 diabetes. About 700 of these people had suffered sudden cardiac arrest between 2010 and 2019.
The scientists compared their records with those of people who had not experienced this condition. They looked at the patients’ medical history, lab test results, and medicines taken during the five years before the heart problem.
They found something worrying. Some common medicines might increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. These included certain antibiotics and drugs used to treat mental health problems.
These medicines can change how the heart beats. One example is a type of antibiotic called macrolides, and another is an older mental health drug called haloperidol. These drugs can affect the heart’s electrical system, which helps the heart beat in a steady rhythm.
The study also found that people who had very low blood sugar levels, especially those who didn’t already have heart disease, had a much higher chance of having sudden cardiac arrest.
Their risk was about 150% higher than normal. This is surprising because doctors usually want people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar levels low. But this shows that being too strict can be dangerous.
In people who already had heart disease, other problems such as kidney issues (shown by a substance called albumin in the urine) and heart failure were also linked to a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
The lead researcher, Peter Harms, said that while most doctors know that things like high blood pressure are risky for people with diabetes, they may not be aware of these other risks—like very low blood sugar or using certain medicines.
The message from this study is clear: doctors need to look at the whole picture when treating people with type 2 diabetes. They shouldn’t just focus on lowering blood sugar or blood pressure. They should also think about how different treatments might affect the heart in the long run.
With this new information, doctors can create better care plans for people with diabetes—plans that not only manage daily symptoms but also protect patients from serious and sudden heart problems in the future.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about a new cause of heart rhythm disorders and eating just one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables daily can reduce heart disease risk.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about blood thinners that may not prevent stroke in people with heartbeat problems and this diabetes drug may protect heart health in older veterans.
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