Higher Blood Glucose Levels Better For Diabetic Patients With Advanced Heart Failure

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Study shows reduction in blood glucose levels in diabetic patients with advanced heart failure can increase mortality risk.

A new study published in The American Journal of Cardiology, finds that patients who have advanced heart failure and diabetes might increase their mortality risk if glucose levels are decreased, as reported in the American Medical News. Control of blood glucose levels, help in preventing complications like nerve damage and kidney disease. However, once diabetic patients develop advanced cardiac issues, bringing blood glucose levels down may prove to be detrimental to their health.

The study is titled, ‘Relation between hemoglobin A and outcomes in hear failure patients with and without diabetes mellitus’, and researchers,

Examined medical records of 845 patients who were 18 years and above
Patients had advanced heart failure
They received treatment at Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center between Jan 1, 1999 and July1, 2010.
The researchers found that:
- 42% of them had diabetes
- HBA1c levels of patients with chronic condition was between 4.5 % to 14.3 %
- Patients who had highest HBA1c levels had event free survival after hear t failure when compared to those with lowest levels, after following up for 2 years.
- HbA1c levels of these patients were around 8.3% to 8.9%.

Researchers conclude that more research needs to be done to assess the best anti-diabetes medicines for patients with advanced heart failure.