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Detecting "Silent" Heart AttacksWhat is the problem and what is known about it so far?People with diabetes are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD, disease of the heart and blood vessels) than people without diabetes. Heart attack is one of the more serious outcomes of CVD. Sometimes people suffer a heart attack without the classic symptoms of chest pain and difficulty breathing. This often is called a “silent” heart attack. Little is known about what happens to people with diabetes who have a silent heart attack. Why did the researchers do this particular study?The researchers wanted to find out what happens to people with diabetes who have a silent heart attack, particularly whether they are more likely to suffer another heart attack or die. Who was studied?The study included 203 people with diabetes who had been screened for silent heart attack. Of these people, 171 had no signs of silent heart attack, 32 had signs of silent heart attack, and 21 had signs of silent heart attack and narrowing of the coronary arteries (blood vessels supplying the heart). How was the study done?Researchers reviewed medical records and kept track of participants for six years. What did the researchers find?People who had signs of silent heart attack and narrowing of coronary arteries were much more likely to suffer another heart attack or death. They were about five times more likely to have a bad outcome than somebody with diabetes but no signs of silent heart attack. What were the limitations of the study?The number of heart attacks was fairly low, even among people thought to be likely to have a heart attack. Some people may have undertaken dietary or lifestyle changes that lowered the chances that they would develop CVD, which may have changed the results. The screening tests used at the beginning of the study to identify people with silent heart attack are not always reliable, so some people may have been missed. What are the implications of the study?People with diabetes who have suffered a silent heart attack should be followed very closely and treated aggressively by their doctors to prevent bad outcomes. FOR MORE INFORMATIONMake the Link! Diabetes, Heart Disease & Stroke |
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