DOC News January 1, 2008
Volume 5 Number 1 p. 14
© 2008 American Diabetes Association
High Blood Glucose Linked to Vascular Disease
High fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels are linked to increased risk of
heart attack or stroke, particularly among African Americans, according to a
recent report.
People who have diabetes are known to be more likely to develop
cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as heart attack or stroke. Less is known
about whether CVD is more likely in people with hyperglycemia but not
full-blown diabetes.
Researchers studied the association between FPG levels and CVD risk in
2,372 people living in northern Manhattan in New York City. None of the people
had diabetes or a history of heart attack or stroke. About 52% of participants
were Hispanic, 24% were African-American, and 21% were white. Participants had
FPG tests at baseline and were followed for an average of 7.5 years, during
which researchers tracked stroke, heart attack, and vascular deaths.
Even in nondiabetic zones, higher levels of blood glucose were linked with
a greater likelihood of death related to vascular disease in all ethnic and
racial groups. Every increase of 27 mg/dl in blood glucose was linked with a
20% greater chance of having a stroke or heart attack. The link was strongest
in African Americans and weakest in whites, with Hispanics falling in the
middle.
Eguchi K, Boden-Albala B, Jin Z, et al.: Usefulness of
fasting blood glucose to predict vascular outcomes among individuals without
diabetes mellitus [from the Northern Manhattan Study]. Am J
Cardiol 100:1404-1409, 2007.[Medline]
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