As we touched on earlier in the week, modern American medicine isn’t about prevention.
There’s way more money in fixing something that has already gone “wrong.”
Case in point: Along comes a 12-year observational study that confirms what you and I have known all along…
That blood sugar control, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease go hand in hand.
Indeed, being overweight can lead to higher blood sugar levels as well as increased blood pressure. And those factors, in turn, contribute to a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.
But, sure, let’s continue to ignore excess weight and blood sugar readings. And instead, dole out antihypertensives and statins like they’re candy…
Modifiable risk factors
It should come as no surprise that men and women with prediabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, and full-blown diabetes were at a higher risk of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to those with low-normal blood sugar levels.
And that’s exactly what an observational study of U.K. Biobank data revealed.
But get this…
The study authors stated, “Excess [CVD] risks in both men and women were largely explained by modifiable factors and could be ameliorated by attention to weight reduction strategies and greater use of antihypertensive and statin medications.”
(Notice the drug plug?)
Are you kidding me? They are just now having that revelation? No wonder our health outcomes in this country are as bad as some developing nations.
Treating modifiable risk factors is something I have based my entire career upon! And how they used to laugh at my methods…
But, let’s get back to the facts…
The blood test you NEED
In this study, those with LOW blood sugar levels experienced a 10 percent lower risk of developing any form of heart disease, even compared to those with “normal” blood sugar.
But those with high blood sugar—indicating diabetes—had an elevated risk for THREE different types of heart disease: coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure.
This doesn’t shock me. But let’s dive a little deeper…
Having prediabetes or undiagnosed diabetes was associated with a 30- to 47-percent increased risk (or higher) of CVD for women and men, respectively.
Among those with type 2 diabetes, the risk grew by 100 percent for women and 55 percent for men. And those with a “normal” A1c reading experienced a 14 percent reduced risk of CVD.
Yep, that sounds about right!
I’ll leave you with this…
The A1c blood test is an indicator of blood sugar control over a six-week period. It’s much more accurate to determine glycemic control than fasting (or random) blood sugar.
It’s a test I use to assess each one of my patients on an ongoing basis. In fact, it’s one of the most important determinants of how I’m going to treat and help someone. Yet, conventional medicine tends to ignore it until or unless someone is diabetic. But at that point, it’s too late.
See, it’s harder to reverse diabetes than it is to prevent it—and that includes all its comorbidities, like CVD.
But measuring A1c levels consistently is an inexpensive strategy that can determine CVD risk long before a bad cardiac event happens to you. That’s why I implore you to ask your doctor for this test today—and then, monitor it closely.
For other strategies to keep diabetes (and excess weight) at bay—which, in turn, will help protect your heart—check out my Metabolic Repair Protocol. Click here now!
Source:
“Lower Is Better for Blood Glucose to Reduce Heart Disease.” Medscape, 08/18/2023. (medscape.com/viewarticle/995626)