Low blood sugar increases CVD related death risk even in nondiabetics: Study

Researchers have found in a new study published in the journal Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research that low fasting blood sugar is a risk factor for CVD and all-cause mortality in nondiabetics.

Hypoglycaemia is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality in individuals with diabetes. The researchers have conducted this study to ascertain whether such an association is generalizable to those without diabetes.

They examined a population from the NHANES-III without baseline CVD and diabetes to assess the association between low FPG and mortality, both CVD and all-cause. They included a total of 8497 participants free of cardiovascular disease and diabetes from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in the study.

They examined the relationship between baseline low (<80 mg/dL) and high (⩾126 mg/dL) fasting plasma glucose compared to normal levels (80–99 mg/dL).

The key findings were as follows: (1) low FPG (<80 mg/dL) was significantly associated with increased risk of both CVD and all-cause mortality; (2) this association was stronger among males than females for both CVD and all-cause mortality; and (3) diabetic range FPG (⩾126 mg/dL) was significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality.It was found that over a median follow-up of 14 years, 2101 deaths occurred, of which 570 were due to cardiovascular disease.

In a model adjusted for sociodemographic and cardiovascular disease risk factors, individuals with low fasting blood sugar were at increased risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality [hazard ratio = 1.79 (95% confidence interval = 1.04–3.08) and hazard ratio = 1.35 (95% confidence interval = 1.02–1.78), respectively], compared to those with normal fasting blood sugar. These associations were stronger among men than women for both cardiovascular disease mortality and all-cause mortality.

The researchers concluded that Low fasting blood sugar in individuals without diabetes is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, especially in men.Our findings suggest that low fasting blood sugar is a risk factor for CVD and all-cause mortality in nondiabetics.

Low fasting blood sugar should be taken into account along with diabetic range fasting blood sugar to properly identify individuals at risk of CVD and all-cause mortality. That is to say, a narrower window of fasting blood sugar may need to be identified to minimize CVD risk and reduce mortality in both the diabetic and nondiabetic populations, authors said.

For further reference log on to: https://doi.org/10.1177/1479164120930599