Lower BP and Cholesterol Targets Reduces Risk of Heart Attacks & Strokes

Diabetics are at an increased risk when it comes to developing heart attacks and strokes. A new study finds lowering suggested targets for blood pressure and cholesterol levels beyond national guidelines may help prevent certain risk factors

Millions of Americans battle diabetes.  National recommended guidelines are in place to help patients control their blood pressure and cholesterol, but are those guidelines sufficient?

We know now that it’s important to control risk factors for heart  disease in people with diabetes yet we don’t know how far to aim.”

DR. Barbara Howard, an epidemiologist at Medstar Research Institute analyzed nearly 500 native American men and women with type 2 diabetes.  They randomly assigned patients into two groups and followed them for three years.  One group was treated to the current standard, A systolic blood pressure of one hundred and thrity or lower and LDL cholesterol of one hundred or lower.  The other group had lower targets.  A systolic blood pressure of one hundred fifteen or lower and LDL cholesterol of seventy or lower.

The aggressive group actually had a reduction in the thickness of the neck vessels, an actual reduction in what we see as an indicator of plaque buildup, and that has not been seen in most studies.”  Using ultrasound researchers also measured the size of the main pumping chamber of the heart.  It decreased in all patients but it decreased more in those who reached lower blood pressure and cholesterol targets.

“We could infer that these changes that we see if more people were treated longer would then result in a difference in the numbers of heart attacks and strokes.”

Researchers say the findings indicate how important it is for diabetics to achieve and maintain even standard targets.  They recommend talking to your doctor about cholesterol and blood pressure levels that are right for you based on your own risk factors.

JAMA. 2008;299(14):1678-1689