Sugar for the heart

 
By Mario
Published: Thursday 15 February 2001

Measuring the blood sugar level can help physicians predict if a patient is at the risk of developing heart disease. Blood glucose (sugar) might, like cholesterol and blood pressure, be used as an indicator of heart disease risk. This could help identify individuals at higher absolute risk of heart disease. Kay-Tee Khaw, professor at the University of Cambridge in the UK conducted a study with more than 4,600 people aged 45 to 79. It showed that people with type 2 diabetes, a disorder in which blood glucose can soar to dangerously high levels if not controlled, were more than thrice as likely to die from heart disease as people without diabetes. The study showed that as blood glucose level increases, the risk of dying rises regardless of age, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol level and smoking status.

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