Few Diabetics Know of Risk for Heart Disease, Stroke

Increase of Type 2 Diabetes Alarms Health Professionals

Several newly published reports point to the need for greater education when it comes to diabetes and its risks.
A new survey of persons with diabetes shows that 68 percent are not aware of their increased risk for heart disease and stroke-the number one cause of death in persons with diabetes. Commissioned by the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology, the survey also revealed that people with diabetes are unaware of ways to reduce their risks for such complications.

In another report published early this year, researchers noted the alarming increase in type 2 diabetes, often referred to as adult-onset diabetes, in children, and believe this trend will continue unless action is taken in the home, school, and community.

And, in a multi-center national trial headed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), investigators found that preventing type 2 diabetes is possible, and diet and exercise are quite possibly the best defense.

Survey Reveals Need For More Awareness of Health Risks Among Diabetics
The survey of 2,008 people was conducted by the market research firm RoperASW as part of the Make the Link! initiative being conducted by the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology. The initiative is focusing on education and outreach to healthcare professionals on the ABCs of diabetes-A for the A1C test, which measures blood glucose over the last three months; B for blood pressure, and C for cholesterol.
Interviews were conducted using random direct dial screenings of US households. Results were weighted by age, race, sex, ethnicity, region, therapy, and length of time since diagnosis, according to data derived from the National Health Interview Survey.

According to the survey, three-quarters of those surveyed reported having risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, but failed to relate these problems to their diabetes.
More than half of people with diabetes polled did not feel they were at risk for a heart condition or stroke, and 60 percent did not feel they were at risk for either high blood pressure or cholesterol. This sharply contrasts with other studies showing that most persons with diabetes have other cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

"This research illustrates the gap between perception and reality," stated Christopher D. Saudek, M.D., president of the American Diabetes Association. "The harsh reality is that if you have diabetes, you have a two- to four-times greater likelihood of having a heart attack than if you not have diabetes."

According to Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy G. Thompson, more than 16 million Americans have diabetes and the number is growing at an alarming rate. Sixty-five percent of people with diabetes in the United States die from a heart attack or stroke, yet most are not aware of the link between diabetes and heart disease and the things a person can do to reduce the risks.

Type 2 Diabetes Increasing At Alarming Rate in Children
Public health officials are becoming increasingly alarmed at the rate at which children around the world are developing type 2 diabetes. Formerly referred to as "adult-onset diabetes," the condition occurs when either the cells in the body become resistant to insulin or the body does not produce enough insulin.

In children, the condition appears related to inappropriate insulin action, which leads to failure of cells to produce insulin. During the past 10 years alone, 8 to 45 percent of children newly diagnosed with diabetes develop the type 2 form of the disease.

In 1999, a panel convened by the American Diabetes Association concluded that while little is known about the causes of type 2 diabetes in children, an underlying genetic susceptibility apparently can be triggered by the child's exposure to certain behavioral, social, and environmental factors, all of which boost insulin resistance in the body.

According to the consensus panel findings, a family history of diabetes often exists, with 45 to 80 percent of affected children having at least one parent with diabetes. Most children with type 2 diabetes are overweight. They also come from non-European ancestry, from African, Asian, American Indian, and Hispanic descent, and more females than males are affected.

It is the obesity factor that particularly worries health officials. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the percentage of overweight children aged 6 to 17 has doubled since the 1960s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new growth charts in 2000, which indicate that 25 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 20 are, or are at risk of, becoming overweight or obese.

In addition, the CDC has found that children and adolescents consume too much fat, saturated fat, and sodium, and insufficient vegetables, fruits, and calcium. Unfortunately, as children are increasingly consuming fast foods and snacks high in fat, they are becoming more sedentary. Many engage in up to six hours per day of nonphysical activities such as watching television or using a computer.

These findings are consistent with those of another study, which found that the typical American diet of burgers and fries can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even if a person does not have other risk factors such as obesity or a family history of the disease.

Further, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a study of 42,000 men found that when comparing a diet high in fruit, vegetables, and grains to a "western" diet heavy in red and processed meats, french fries, high-fat dairy products, and sweets, those men with the "western" diet had a 60 percent greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes than those who ate the healthier diet.

Always consult your physician for more information.