WEDNESDAY, April 9, (News Locale) - Patients with type-2 diabetes are at an increased risk for developing heart disease - this is not something new. However a new study finds that proactive and aggressive treatment of high cholesterol and high blood pressure in such patients may help avert atherosclerosis, the leading cause of heart disease. 

Atherosclerosis is the hardening of arteries, by deposition of plaque. This condition pre-disposes individuals to develop heart disease. Diabetic patients are at increased risk for this condition and consequently also face a high risk of heart attack and stroke.

The Stop Atherosclerosis in Native Diabetics (SANDS) study involved 299 American Indians with diabetes. All participants had high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure, but no history of heart disease when the trial started.  The trial was conducted in southwestern Oklahoma; Phoenix, northeastern Arizona and South Dakota.

All participants continued to receive diabetes management throughout the trial including dietary counseling and stopping smoking. Half of the participants were asked to lower the levels of LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol to 100 milligrams per deciliter and bring down their systolic blood pressure to 130 mm of Hg.

In the three -year period, participants were assessed for their cholesterol and blood pressure and continued to receive medications approved by the FDA to treat the same.  Researchers measured thickness of the carotid artery, of the left ventricle and recorded cholesterol levels three times during the study period.

In the aggressive treatment group, the thickness of the carotid artery as less than that of the standard group, researchers report in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.  Carotid artery thickness is indicative of hardening of arteries, which is the earliest sign of heart disease.

"In our study, participants successfully managed their blood cholesterol and blood pressure to reach their goal levels. Our message to doctors, nurses, and patients is that you can reach your goal levels, and we should work together to help you do that," the authors led by Dr Barbara V. Howard wrote.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from heart disease and stroke.

The association says that while managing to control blood sugar should be the primary aim of diabetes therapy, equal attention must be paid to the management of blood pressure and management of cholesterol.

This is because studies have shown that over 60 percent of people with diabetes have high blood pressure and almost all patients suffer from increased level of triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, or high LDL cholesterol.

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death by disease in the United States. It costs approximately $132 billion per year in direct and indirect medical expenses. Bringing some changes into routine lifestyle practices is very helpful in managing the condition.

However failure to control blood sugar levels leads to many complications including heart disease, blindness, nerve damage and kidney damage.

Adequately controlling blood pressure is vital to reduce the overall risk of heart disease in diabetic patients. However consumers are advised to consult their doctors before embarking on any treatment course.

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