Elevated Blood Sugar and Heart Disease

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Two new studies show a strong link between blood sugar control and the development of heart disease and stroke.

High levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, or HA1c, may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events, such as heart disease and stroke, according to the new research. HA1c levels over 7 indicate poor control of blood sugar. In people with diabetes, high levels of HA1c are already known to increase risk for eye, kidney, foot, and heart problems.

An analysis of previous studies shows the risk for cardiovascular disease increased with increasing levels of glycosylated hemoglobin. However, the study did not prove better control of blood sugar would prevent cardiovascular disease.

In a six-year study of more than 10,000 people, investigators found a 21-percent increase in cardiovascular events for every percentage point increase in HA1c above 5 percent. The level of glycosylated hemoglobin was associated with these events even in people who did not have diabetes and who had HA1c levels within normal range.

Authors of the study suggest an investigation into whether improvements in glycemic control may improve health outcomes in people who do not have diabetes.

In an accompanying editorial, Hertzel Gerstein, M.D., from McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences in Ontario, writes, “Glycosylated hemoglobin level can now be added to the list of other clearly established indicators of cardiovascular risk, such as blood pressure and cholesterol level.”

More than 17 million people in the United States are living with diabetes.

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SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, 2004;141:421-431, 413-420, 475-476