Similar Decline Over Decades in Cardiovascular Disease Rates for People with and without Diabetes People with Diabetes Still Have Twice the Risk
Adults with and without diabetes have benefited similarly from
the decline in cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates over the last
several decades, according to a study funded by the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). However the study, which is published
in the November 24 issue of the Journal of the American Medical
Association, found that people with diabetes still have twice the
risk of cardiovascular disease compared to people without diabetes.
The study evaluated more than 8,000 participants from the Framingham
Heart Study original and offspring cohorts. Participants were divided
into two groups: those who attended clinic examinations between
1950 and 1966 and those who were examined between 1977 and 1995.
Scientists compared the CVD incidence rates of those with and without
diabetes between the earlier and later time periods.
More aggressive treatment of CVD risk factors and further research
on diabetes-specific factors contributing to CVD risk are needed,
conclude the study's authors. This two-pronged approach is necessary
to reduce the risk of CVD experienced by people with diabetes, according
to Peter Savage, M.D., director of the Division of Epidemiology
and Clinical Applications at NHLBI.
Diabetes is becoming more common in the U.S. due to many factors,
including an increase in obesity and in the number of older adults.
Diabetes will therefore be an increasingly important cause of cardiovascular
disease in the U.S.
Dr. Savage is available to comment on the study. To arrange an
interview, please call the NHLBI Communications Office at (301)
496-4236.
NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the
Federal Government's primary agency for biomedical and behavioral
research. NIH is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. NHLBI press releases and fact sheets, including
information on cardiovascular disease, can be found online at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
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