Diabetes increases the risk of heart failure, more among women than men

A global study of 12 million people has found out that diabetes increases the risk of heart failure and this increase is greater for women as compared to men Researchers from the George Institute for Global Health affiliated with UNSW Sydney determined that this differential was greater in type 1 than type 2 diabetesType 1 diabetes is associated with a 47 percent excess risk of heart failure in women compared to men whilst type 2 diabetes has a 9 percent higher excess risk of heart failure for women than menThe findings were published in Diabetologia the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes EASD It highlights the need for further sexspecific research into diabetes and how the condition can potentially contribute to heart complicationsAlso ReadVegan diet linked to reduced Type2 diabetes risk StudyAccording to the International Diabetes Federation IDF 415 million adults worldwide live with diabetes with approximately 199 million of them being women The IDF expects by the year 2040 around 313 million women will be suffering from the disease Diabetes is the ninth leading cause of death in women and claims 21 million female lives every year more so than men The number one leading cause of death for women is heart diseaseIt is already known that diabetes puts you at greater risk of developing heart failure but what our study shows for the first time that women are at far greater risk for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes said lead author and research fellow Dr Toshiaki Ohkuma from The George InstituteThe increased risk of heart failure following a diabetes diagnosis is significantly greater in women than men which highlights the importance of intensive prevention and treatment of diabetes in women Further research is required to understand the mechanisms underpinning the excess risk of heart failure conferred by diabetes particularly type 1 in women and to reduce the burden associated with diabetes in both sexesAlso ReadMonsoon care tips for diabetes patientsThe Studys coauthor Dr Sanne Peters of The George Institute for Global Health at the University of Oxford said that there are a number of reasons why women with diabetes are at greater risk of heart complicationsWomen were reported to have two years longer duration of prediabetes than men and this increased duration may be associated with greater excess risk of heart failure in women said Dr PetersHe further added Some major concerns are that women are also being undertreated for diabetes and they are not taking the same levels of medications as men and are less likely to receive intensive careThe IDF reports that girls and women with diabetes experience a range of challenges Gender roles power imbalances socioeconomic inequalities resulting in poor diet and lack of physical activity can all influence vulnerability to diabetes Womens limited access to health services and lack of proactivity when it comes to seeking treatment for health problems can also amplify the impact of diabetes particularly in developing countriesAlso ReadWorld Diabetes Day Facts and preventive measures against diabetesDiabetes is also one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease blindness kidney failure and lowerlimb amputation In pregnancy poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of maternal and foetal complications Women with type 2 diabetes also have a significantly increased risk of depression in comparison to menThe George Institute has been leading genderspecific research and has already shown women with diabetes have a significantly greater excess risk of stroke and coronary heart disease as well as the noncardiovascular complications of dementia and cancer than men It is currently investigating gender differences in stroke as well as other chronic diseasesCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates