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Young diabetics may be more prone to heart problems

Category: Diabetes

On the whole, HbA1c tests have been improving in recent years for individuals with type 1 diabetes. This reflects the strides that the medical profession has made in helping these patients control their blood sugar levels.

Despite these improvements, many young people with the condition are still at risk for developing cardiovascular problems, according to a new study from a team of researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health and Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

After studying more than 160 young adults between the ages of 17 and 23, the researchers found that individuals with type 1diabetes are significantly more likely to have a condition known as atherosclerosis in their carotid arteries.

This condition causes blood vessels to stiffen and thicken, which reduces blood flow. Atherosclerosis increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

The researchers said that their findings underscore the need to help diabetics better maintain their blood sugar levels in order to ward off this type of cardiovascular damage. This could be an important part of continuing to improve the long-term health prospects of individuals with the condition.