A recent study presented at the EASD conference indicates that certain drugs, along with low fasting blood sugar levels and cardiovascular issues, significantly heighten the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in individuals with type 2 diabetes. This finding emphasizes the importance of diligent monitoring by primary care physicians.
Low fasting blood sugar levels have been linked to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a major cause of death.
The research, unveiled at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting in Hamburg, Germany, identified several factors that raise the likelihood of sudden cardiac arrest in type 2 diabetes patients.
Identified key risk factors include specific antibiotics and antipsychotic drugs commonly used, prokinetics (drugs for gastrointestinal problems like nausea), and low fasting blood sugar levels.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest: A Significant Health Issue
SCA is a leading cause of death, where the heart suddenly ceases to circulate blood, contributing to up to 50% of cardiac deaths and 20% of all deaths in affluent countries.
Type 2 diabetes patients are at a doubled risk for SCA. Predicting SCA, especially in those without prior cardiovascular disease, remains challenging.
Peter Harms and his team from Amsterdam UMC, the Netherlands, conducted a case-control study to determine clinical characteristics in general practitioner records linked to SCA in type 2 diabetes patients, with and without a history of cardiovascular disease.
The study involved 3,919 type 2 diabetes patients: 689 SCA cases and 3,230 controls. Each SCA case from Noord-Holland, recorded between 2010-2019, was matched by age, sex, and GP practice to up to five controls without SCA.
Clinical data, including blood pressure, blood glucose levels, medication usage, and medical history for the five years preceding the SCA event, were collected from GP records. Unrecorded measurements were noted as “unknown”.
Factors Increasing SCA Risk
Several factors were linked to heightened SCA risk in both groups with and without cardiovascular disease: arrhythmia history (68% increased risk), unknown smoking status (40% increase), insulin use (138% increase), and use of QTc-prolonging prokinetic drugs (66% increase).
Many common medications, including certain prokinetics, antibiotics, and antipsychotics, can cause QT-prolongation, affecting the heart’s electrical functioning. These are known as QTc-prolonging drugs.
Specific Risks Based on Cardiovascular Disease History
Among individuals with cardiovascular disease (352 cases/1,207 controls), moderate to severe and unknown albuminuria, as well as heart failure, showed increased SCA risk.
For those without cardiovascular disease (337 cases/2,023 controls), low fasting glucose, extremely high systolic blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, and the use of QTc-prolonging antipsychotic and antibiotic medications were linked to increased SCA risk.
The researchers concluded that for type 2 diabetes patients with cardiovascular disease, albuminuria, heart failure, and use of QTc-prolonging prokinetic drugs are risk factors for SCA. For those without a cardiovascular disease history, risks include low fasting glucose, severe hypertension, dyslipidemia, and use of QTc-prolonging antibiotics, antipsychotics, and prokinetics.
Mr Harms stressed the importance for GPs to recognize not only the classic cardiovascular risk factors but also the lesser-known risks associated with low fasting glucose and the use of specific antibiotics, antipsychotics, and prokinetics in managing type 2 diabetes patients.
Reference: “Association of clinical characteristics with sudden cardiac arrest in people with type 2 diabetes with and without CVD: a longitudinal case-control study on primary care data” by P.P. Harms, et al., presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting. Abstract.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sudden Cardiac Arrest Diabetes
What recent research has been presented regarding type 2 diabetes and sudden cardiac arrest?
Recent findings at the EASD meeting highlighted that certain medications, low fasting blood sugar, and cardiovascular conditions greatly increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in individuals with type 2 diabetes. These findings emphasize the need for careful management by general practitioners.
How does low fasting blood sugar relate to sudden cardiac arrest?
Low fasting blood sugar is associated with a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest, a leading cause of mortality, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes.
What are the key risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest in type 2 diabetics identified in the study?
The study identified specific antibiotics, antipsychotic medications, prokinetics (medications for gastrointestinal issues), and low levels of fasting blood sugar as key risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest in people with type 2 diabetes.
What is the significance of sudden cardiac arrest in the context of public health?
Sudden cardiac arrest is a major health concern, being one of the leading causes of death. It accounts for up to 50% of cardiac deaths and 20% of overall mortality in high-income countries.
How did the research team conduct the study on sudden cardiac arrest and type 2 diabetes?
Peter Harms and his team conducted a case-control study, involving 3,919 individuals with type 2 diabetes, to assess which clinical characteristics in GP records are associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
What factors increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest in type 2 diabetics according to the study?
Factors such as history of arrhythmias, unknown smoking behavior, insulin use, and use of QTc-prolonging prokinetic medication were associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest in both people with and without cardiovascular disease.
More about Sudden Cardiac Arrest Diabetes
- EASD Meeting Highlights
- Linking Low Fasting Blood Sugar to Cardiac Arrest
- Key Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest Research Study
- Clinical Characteristics and SCA Risk
- QTc-prolonging Medications and SCA Risk
4 comments
gotta say, the stats on sudden cardiac arrest are alarming! 50% of cardiac deaths thats huge. Makes me wonder how we can better prevent this in high-risk groups like diabetics.
interesting read but i’m wondering, how common is low fasting blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients? seems like a crucial detail to understand better.
The research methods seem solid. But what about other factors that might play a role? Lifestyle, diet, etc. They matter too, right?
Wow, this is pretty scary stuff! didn’t know that common meds could up the risk of cardiac arrest in diabetics. really makes you think twice about what we take for granted in medicine.