New research finds that for people with diabetes who have had a stroke, there may be optimal levels of blood sugar to reduce the risk of various types of vascular disease such as stroke or heart attack later on. The results of the research were published in the medical journal. Neurology.
According to a report by the site TIME NOW NEWS“We know that having diabetes may be associated with an increased risk of first stroke,” said study author Moon Ko-han, MD, of Seoul National University School of Medicine in Korea.“.
He added: “Our results suggest that there is an optimal blood sugar level that may begin to reduce the risk of further stroke, heart attack or other vascular problems, which is in the range of 6.8% to 7.0%.“.
The study included 18,567 people with diabetes with an average age of 70. All participants were hospitalized for a stroke caused by a blood clot. Upon admission, the researchers used a test called hemoglobin. A1C To determine the average blood sugar level over the past two to three months.
This test measures the proportion of hemoglobin proteins in the blood coated with sugar A level of less than 5.7% is considered normal, 6.5% or higher generally indicates diabetes Participants had an average A1C by 7.5%.
Then the researchers followed up after one year to see if there was an association between levels of A1C and risk of having another stroke, heart attack, or death from these or other vascular causes.
Of all participants, 1,437, or about 8%, had a heart attack or died from vascular disease within a year of starting the study, and 954, or 5%, had another stroke.
The study found that people who were admitted to the hospital with levels of A1C Above 6.8% to 7.0% were at higher risk of developing vascular disease such as heart attack, as well as having another stroke..
After adjusting for factors such as age and gender, the researchers found that people’s risk of having a heart attack or similar blood vessel disease was 27% higher when they were admitted to hospital with levels of A1C higher than 7.0%, compared to those admitted with levels A1C below. 6.5%.
People’s risk of having another stroke was 28 percent higher when they were admitted to hospital with levels of A1C higher than 7.0%, compared to those under 6.5%.
“Our findings highlight the importance of closely monitoring your blood sugar if you are diabetic and have had a stroke,” Han said.“.