Diabetics' deaths tied to lower blood sugar
Feb. 26
Federal researchers who tried to reduce heart attacks among diabetics by driving their blood sugar to low levels found that more patients were dying instead. The troubling results call into question the popular theory that radically lowering blood sugar levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes could prevent heart attacks and stroke. Using modified diet, exercise and glucose-lowering medication, the goal for the standard treatment group was to reduce blood sugar levels to a point known to be safer for diabetics - but still higher than normal. In the intensive therapy group, doctors were more aggressive, aiming to drive blood sugar levels down to those found in nondiabetics. From the outset, ACCORD study volunteers were a high-risk population - they had Type 2 diabetes for an average of 10 years, above-average blood sugar levels, heart disease and other risk factors such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Read the full story at Baltimore Sun
Posted Under: Cardiology, Endocrinology