Cardiovascular Disease
and Type 2 Diabetes - Women are more at Risk
According to a study published by the University
of Harvard, there is a link between the increase
of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
The study carried out among 27 269 women shows that
the number of heart attacks (myocardial infarction)
is 2 to 4 times greater, strokes are 1,8 t 6 times
greater and that the risk of death caused by cardiovascular
diseases is 6,8 times greater when compared to non
diabetic patients.
A recent study published jointly by the University
of Harvard and the University of Columbia in New
York shows that type 2 diabetes increases the
risk of heart diseases. The study, based on data
collected from 27 269 women participating in nine
epidemiologic studies, showed that 8.5 % had diabetes,
2.9 % had a history of prior heart attack and
2.3 % had a history of prior stroke. The analysis
of the data collected over a period of 8.3 years
showed that during that period 238 deaths by stroke
were registered. The conclusion reached was that
type 2 diabetes, even without history of prior
heart disease, can increase the risk of a stroke
similar to a non diabetic with a history of prior
heart disease and that of patients who previously
had a stroke. The fact is, Type 2 diabetes does
increase the risk of heart diseases by a factor
of 6.8
Medical autorities recommend to treat diabetes
like as a cardiovascular disease, by reducing
cholesterol levels, monitoring blood pressure
closely, controlling weight gains and refrain
from smoking.
Source: J. Ho. et coll. "Is Diabetes
Mellitus a Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Equivalent
for fatal Stroke in Women?: Data From the Women's
Pooling Project".
Stroke 2003; 34 : 2812-6 |
