Simple lifestyle changes could slash heart attack risk for millions, scientists report

Those at risk of type 2 diabetes may be able to prevent heart problems later.

A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology discovered that lowering the blood sugar of those with prediabetes could reduce the risk of heart attack by half.

Diabetes researchers and endocrine experts across Europe, China and the U.S. investigated how bringing blood sugar back to normal levels affected the chances of heart problems later in life, based on a 20-year American study and a 30-year Chinese study, according to a press release.

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In both studies, the prediabetic participants were coached to make appropriate lifestyle changes to lower blood sugar (the amount of glucose in the bloodstream) through diet and exercise, also targeting weight loss.

Participants worked to lower blood sugar through diet and exercise targeted at weight loss. (iStock)

The researchers split the participants into a remission group (where blood sugar returned to normal) and a non-remission group, which included those still in the prediabetes range. They then determined who in these groups had died from heart disease or were hospitalized for heart failure.

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Participants who went into remission had a 58% lower risk of dying from heart disease and being hospitalized for heart failure. This group also had a lower risk of other major heart events and lower overall death rates.

These heart-protective benefits lasted for decades after the program ended, the researchers found.

Those in prediabetes remission had their risk of a heart event reduced by more than half. (iStock)

"Reaching prediabetes remission is linked to a decades-long benefit, halving the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in diverse populations," the researchers commented in the publication of the study. "Targeting remission might represent a new approach to cardiovascular prevention."

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In an interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Andreas Birkenfeld, study co-author and professor of medicine at the University Hospital Tübingen in Germany, reiterated that reaching prediabetes remission is not only relevant for reducing the progression of type 2 diabetes, but may also be associated with a "meaningful reduction in … heart attack risk, cardiac death and heart failure." 

"Importantly, this underscores that prediabetes is a modifiable stage where timely, evidence-based interventions (especially lifestyle measures, and in selected cases, medication) can make a real difference," he added.

"Reaching prediabetes remission is linked to a decades-long benefit, halving the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in diverse populations," the researchers commented. (iStock)

The study did have some limitations, including that it is based on analysis of trials not originally designed to measure cardiovascular outcomes, which means the results show association but cannot prove causation.

In addition, unmeasured lifestyle and health factors, population differences and lack of randomization for heart outcomes may have influenced the reduced cardiovascular risk, the researchers acknowledged.

"This underscores that prediabetes is a modifiable stage where timely, evidence-based interventions … can make a real difference."

Birkenfeld suggested that those with prediabetes should ask their doctors the following questions: "What is my current status? What is my personal cardiovascular risk? What is my target blood glucose level?"

Patients should also inquire about the frequency of testing for blood sugar and key risk factors like blood pressure, cholesterol and other related conditions, such as kidney function or sleep apnea, he advised.

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"If lifestyle changes aren’t enough or my risk is high, would medication be appropriate for me — and what are the benefits and downsides?" the researcher asked as an example.

About 98 million American adults, more than one in three, have prediabetes, according to CDC data. Eight in 10 of these adults are unaware that they have the disease.