Diabetes Significantly Raises Risk of Sudden Cardiac death, Especially in Younger Adults: New Danish Study Reveals
COPENHAGEN, Denmark - A large-scale study of the Danish population has revealed a dramatically increased risk of sudden cardiac death among individuals with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, with the danger being notably acute for those under the age of 50. Published in the european Heart Journal, the research underscores the critical need for proactive cardiovascular risk management in diabetic patients.
Researchers analyzed data from over 54,000 deaths in Denmark in 2010, utilizing death certificates, hospital discharge reports, and autopsy reports to identify instances of sudden cardiac death. This data was then correlated with records indicating diagnoses of Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, or no diabetes.
The findings showed individuals with Type 1 diabetes were 3.7 times more likely to die from sudden cardiac death compared to the general population. The risk was even higher for those with type 2 diabetes, who faced a 6.5 times greater likelihood of experiencing this fatal event. Notably, the risk for both types of diabetes was sevenfold higher in individuals under 50.
Beyond the immediate risk of sudden cardiac death, the study also quantified the impact on overall life expectancy. People with Type 1 diabetes had an average life expectancy 14.2 years shorter then those without the condition, while those with Type 2 diabetes experienced a reduction of 7.9 years. Sudden cardiac death accounted for 3.4 years of life lost in Type 1 diabetes patients and 2.7 years in those with Type 2.
“Sudden cardiac death is difficult to predict and prevent, but these results underscore how crucial it is for people with diabetes to work with their doctors to reduce cardiovascular risk,” explained study leader Tobias Skjelbred in a press release.
The researchers attribute the increased risk to a combination of factors, including diabetes-related circulatory problems leading to coronary heart disease, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and cardiac autonomic neuropathy - damage to the nerves surrounding the heart – which can contribute to hazardous cardiac arrhythmias.