DOC News October 1, 2006
Volume 3 Number 10 p. 12
© 2006 American Diabetes Association
Family Risks From Diabetes
First-degree relatives of people with diabetes are more likely to have
impaired endothelial function and a concomitant impairment in the autonomic
nervous system control of blood pressure, according to a recent report.
A group of investigators assessed 27 otherwise healthy children of a parent
with diabetes. The evaluation included high-resolution ultrasound and other
tests of vascular function. They were compared with 15 matched people with no
link to diabetes.
Offspring of a parent with diabetes were more likely to have signs of
impaired vascular function and a depressed baroreflex. Researchers suspect
that the two effects are related.
Although a mechanism isn't understood, the authors suggest that patients
whose parents have diabetes should be targeted for primary prevention, such as
regular physical activity, to improve cardiovascular regulation.
Iellamo F, Tesauro M, Rizza S, et al.: Concomitant
impairment in endothelial function and neural cardiovascular regulation in
offspring of type 2 diabetic subjects. Hypertension 48: 418–423, 2006[Abstract/Free Full Text]
.
CiteULike 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
