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A1C Level Alone Does Not Put a Person At Risk for Heart Disease, StrokeBlake GJ, Pradhan AD, Manson JE, et al.: Hemoglobin A1C levels and future cardiovascular events among women. Arch Intern Med 164:757-761, 2004. What is the problem and what is known about it so far?Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) is a measure of long-term blood glucose control. Keeping A1C levels close to normal is an important part of diabetes care. Some studies suggest that A1C levels may predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related problems of heart and blood vessels, such as heart attack or stroke, even in people without diabetes. Who was studied?Middle-aged, female health professionals from the Women's Health Study. From that study, researchers chose a group of 464 women. During their time in the Women’s Health Study, these women had a heart attack, had a stroke, or underwent procedures to open blood vessels in the heart. These women were matched to 928 "control" participants who did not have any cardiovascular problems. How was the study done?Blood samples were collected from women at the beginning of the Women's Health Study. From these samples, researchers measured A1C levels. Researchers looked to determine if the women who started the study with diabetes were more likely to have future cardiac (heart) problems. What did the researchers find?The A1C level, by itself, did not predict risk of future cardiac events in women without diabetes. Having diabetes was strongly linked to higher cardiovascular risk. What were the limitations of the study?The study included only middle-aged women who started the study without CVD. The results may not apply to other groups of people. What are the implications of the study?More research is needed on the relationship between blood glucose control and later cardiac events. |
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