Is hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events?

This study evaluated the association between symptomatic hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), cardiovascular events (CVE) and life expectancy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The authors of the study found that symptomatic hypoglycemia in T2DM patients is associated with an increased risk of CVE and lower life expectancy.

Hypoglycemia means an abnormally low blood sugar level. This condition is a major complication of either type 1 or T2DM. Common symptoms of hypoglycemia are dizziness, sweating, shakiness, hunger, nervousness, blurred vision, tingling around the mouth or heart palpitations. If untreated, hypoglycemia can lead to permanent brain damage because the brain needs glucose to function. Hypoglycemia has also been associated with other serious health conditions and even an increased risk of death.

This particular study included data from 77611 patients newly diagnosed with T2DM. Of these, 1844 (2.38%) had a history of hypoglycemia. Patients treated with insulin and oral anti-diabetic drugs such as sulfonylureas had a higher risk of getting hypoglycemia than other T2DM patients. The authors of the study evaluated the association between hypoglycemia and CVE. CVE included the following conditions: stroke, coronary heart disease or CHD (reduced blood supply to the heart), hospital stay or death because of heart disease. 73.1% of patients with a history of hypoglycemia had at least one hospital stay during the study period. Compared with patients without hypoglycemia, those with a history of hypoglycemia had a two-fold higher risk of stroke and CHD and a three-fold higher risk of hospital stay and death because of heart disease. 

In summary, this research showed that patients with T2DM with a history of hypoglycemia have an increased risk of CVE, hospital stay and a lower life expectancy.

Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood sugar levels. If you experience hypoglycemia-related symptoms, check your blood sugar and if low, treat it. The quickest way to raise your blood sugar is with sugar (actual sugar or fruit juice, hard candy or glucose tablets). If you have frequent hypoglycemic episodes, see your doctor for further medical attention.