New evidence from a population-based study carried out in Iceland casts doubt on previous suggestions that high blood sugar levels are linked with coronary heart disease risk in otherwise healthy people. Although there is strong evidence that blood sugar control is important amongst diabetics, both to reduce the risk of heart disease as well as to prevent other complications, there is greater uncertainty regarding the relationship for non-diabetic people. In this study, the researchers investigated a cohort of 18,569 people who did not have a history of diabetes, and were then monitored for an average of 23 years for heart disease outcomes. Although there was a small increase in risk of heart disease linked with higher blood sugar levels, the changes were not substantial. The researchers also confirmed their findings in a systematic review of the existing literature.
Source: Public Library of Science