This Silent Diabetes Diagnosis Could Raise Your Risk Of Heart Disease By 30 (Image Credits: iStock)
Researchers have found that adults who develop type 1 diabetes face a significantly higher risk of heart disease and premature death. Published on May 14 in the European Heart Journal, the new study sheds light on the long-term health challenges of those diagnosed with this autoimmune condition later in life.
Type 1 diabetes is often associated with children and teenagers and was once commonly referred to as juvenile diabetes. However, medical experts now emphasize that the condition can occur at any age. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leaving the body unable to produce insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels.
The Swedish study, led by researchers at the Karolinska Institute, followed over 10,200 adults diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 2001 and 2020. These individuals were compared to nearly 510,000 people without diabetes. The findings were concerning: adults with type 1 diabetes had a 30% higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes. Even more alarming, they had a 71% increased risk of dying early from any cause—including cancer and infections.
Dr Sofia Carlsson, senior lecturer at the Institute of Environmental Medicine at Karolinska Institute, stressed that lifestyle choices play a crucial role in determining health outcomes for diabetic patients. “We show that the prognosis can be significantly improved by preventing smoking and obesity and improving glucose control, not least in people diagnosed at older ages,” Carlsson explained.
The study also revealed that adults with type 1 diabetes were less likely to use insulin management tools like insulin pumps, which may contribute to poorer glucose regulation. According to lead author Yuxia Wei, a postdoctoral fellow at the institute, “The main reasons for the poor prognosis are smoking, overweight/obesity and poor glucose control.”
Researchers hope to continue exploring the impact of adult-onset type 1 diabetes. Their future studies aim to better understand what triggers the disease in adults and how treatment strategies can be optimized to reduce complications.
As medical experts continue to investigate, the message is clear: managing weight, quitting smoking, and keeping blood sugar levels in check are vital for adults living with type 1 diabetes to reduce their risk of life-threatening complications.
