Type 1 diabetes and risk factors for heart disease

This study wanted to find out what factors put young people with type 1 diabetes at risk of developing impaired blood flow or heart issues. The study found that poor control of blood sugars and traditional risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and obesity, were associated with an increased risk of blood flow issues in young people with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a difficult disease to manage. New advances in medical technology mean people with T1D are living for longer, and are living more healthy lives.

It is known that uncontrolled diabetes is a risk factor for developing heart disease. This has been well studied in adults, but not as much in young people with T1D. One of the factors that can be measured is called "arterial stiffness". Arterial stiffness is usually caused by ageing, or by fat building up in the arteries. Arterial stiffness is associated with a higher chance of heart disease. It is not known which factors put young people with T1D at risk of developing heart disease and arterial stiffness.

This study had 1809 patients. All of the patients had been diagnosed with T1D before they were 20 years old. The average HbA1c (measure of long-term blood sugar control) level of the patients was 9.1%. This is considered to be poor control. Data about the patients were collected at diagnosis, and five years later.

The patients with a higher Hba1c level, there was a higher chance of arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness was also more likely when patients had a low insulin sensitivity. Patients who had been diagnosed with diabetes for longer were more likely to have arterial stiffness. Patients who were obese, had high blood pressure, or had high cholesterol were also more likely to have arterial stiffness.

The study concluded that in young people with type 1 diabetes, poor control of blood sugars and other traditional risk factors for heart disease resulted in a higher likelihood of arterial stiffness.

Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about risk factors for heart disease.