A recent study from scientists at Northwestern University has revealed that two commonly prescribed drugs for treating type 2 diabetes may significantly increase the risk of serious heart-related issues.
These medications—sulfonylureas and basal insulin—are often given to patients when the first-line treatment, metformin, is not effective enough or cannot be tolerated.
The research, which is the first to compare the heart health impacts of major second-line diabetes drugs, highlights a serious concern for millions of patients.
Sulfonylureas and basal insulin are commonly prescribed, with more than half of patients who need a second medication relying on one of these two drugs. However, the findings show that these drugs could be putting people at a much higher risk of cardiovascular problems.
The study found that patients taking sulfonylureas were 36% more likely to suffer from a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, compared to those taking a newer class of diabetes drugs known as DPP-4 inhibitors.
The risk was even higher for those taking basal insulin, who were twice as likely to experience these serious heart issues.
One key statistic stood out in the study: for every 37 people taking basal insulin for two years, one cardiovascular event occurred. For sulfonylureas, the number was 103 people over two years.
When considering that there are roughly 30 million people in the U.S. living with type 2 diabetes, these numbers suggest that a large portion of patients might be at risk of heart problems due to these medications.
This study builds on earlier research but provides a more detailed look at how these drugs affect heart health in real-world settings. It involved data from over 132,000 patients with type 2 diabetes who were starting a second-line treatment after metformin.
By using this real-world evidence, the scientists could see the actual effects of these drugs on patients, rather than relying solely on controlled trials where only one drug is tested against a placebo.
The researchers recommend that doctors consider newer classes of diabetes drugs—like GLP-1 agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, or DPP-4 inhibitors—as safer alternatives after metformin. These newer medications have been shown to have better outcomes for heart health.
However, the downside is that they are often more expensive than sulfonylureas or basal insulin, which is why the older, riskier drugs are still frequently prescribed.
The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Matthew O’Brien, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the potential heart risks linked to these widely used diabetes medications.
He believes that this research should lead to a shift in how type 2 diabetes is treated, encouraging more widespread use of the newer, safer drugs.
While the cost of newer medications remains a barrier, the potential long-term savings from avoiding heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications could make them a better option for many patients in the long run.
The findings of this study, published in JAMA Network Open, offer an important message for both patients and healthcare providers: it’s crucial to evaluate the potential risks of any diabetes medication, especially when it comes to heart health.
For anyone with type 2 diabetes, this research highlights the need to have a conversation with their doctor about the medications they are taking and whether newer, safer alternatives might be available.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and Vitamin C linked to lower risk of heart failure.
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