Diabetics Unaware of Their Risk
Diabetics Unaware of Their Risk
Many Don't Even Know They Face Serious Chances of Heart Attack or Stroke
Dec. 13, 2001 -- Diabetics have much to worry about -- like losing their vision or even a limb. But most don't realize that they are also at very high risk for a heart attack or stroke.
A nationwide study from the CDC serves as a wake-up call for physicians, finding that most older folks with diabetes have no idea they are two to four times more likely to have heart problems than the rest of the population.
The study says that "a significant number of patients" do not fully understand they risk developing serious heart disease complications.
The findings are based on more than 1,000 telephone interviews with people with diabetes aged 55 and older, conducted during May and June 2001. Here are some findings:
"Physicians should be doing more to educate and preventively treat their older diabetic patients," the study says. "Education and guidance appear to focus more on those patients who have already suffered a heart ailment, such as heart attack, stroke or heart disease, than on those who have not."
Diabetics Unaware of Their Risk
Many Don't Even Know They Face Serious Chances of Heart Attack or Stroke
Dec. 13, 2001 -- Diabetics have much to worry about -- like losing their vision or even a limb. But most don't realize that they are also at very high risk for a heart attack or stroke.
A nationwide study from the CDC serves as a wake-up call for physicians, finding that most older folks with diabetes have no idea they are two to four times more likely to have heart problems than the rest of the population.
The study says that "a significant number of patients" do not fully understand they risk developing serious heart disease complications.
The findings are based on more than 1,000 telephone interviews with people with diabetes aged 55 and older, conducted during May and June 2001. Here are some findings:
- Nearly three-fourths (73%) do not know that heart attack or stroke are the No. 1 causes of death among people with diabetes.
- Only half the people interviewed knew that both a heart attack and a stroke are more likely to occur in those with diabetes than those who do not have the disease.
- More than 60% did not know that low levels of HDL "good cholesterol" was a risk factor.
- More than 60% said they could do more to reduce their heart disease risk.
- A third had not been told by their doctors that their diabetes was putting them at risk.
"Physicians should be doing more to educate and preventively treat their older diabetic patients," the study says. "Education and guidance appear to focus more on those patients who have already suffered a heart ailment, such as heart attack, stroke or heart disease, than on those who have not."
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