Raised blood sugar levels linked with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases

decorative Men and women with raised blood sugar levels have 30-50% greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease even when these levels are below the threshold for diabetes, according to a new study led by researchers at UCL and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, also found that, among people diagnosed with diabetes, women's higher relative risk of developing any cardiovascular disease than men disappeared once modifiable factors such as body measurements and medication use were taken into account. The researchers discovered evidence that for blood sugar levels within the 'normal' range, it was a case of 'the lower the better' in protecting against cardiovascular disease. Compared to people with normal blood sugar levels, those with the lowest levels had a 10% lower risk of developing any form of cardiovascular disease. On the other hand, men with raised blood sugar below the threshold for diabetes had a 30% greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease and women with raised blood sugar below the threshold for diabetes had between 30-50% greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The risks were as much as doubled in those with diagnosed diabetes. The study analysed UK Biobank data from 427,435 UK individuals (54.2% women, 45.8% men) across the glycaemic spectrum, including people with blood sugar levels within a 'normal' range, those with prediabetes, and those with diabetes.