According to new research reports, Diuretic and Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE) combination protect diabetic patients from heart diseases. This combination drug therapy reduces heart disease risk by 18%. Researchers used ACE Inhibitor (Perindopril, 2mg) and Diuretic (Indapamide, 0.625 mg) in the research studies. This therapy reduces risk from both macro vascular and micro vascular complications. This study was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2007 in Vienna.
Diabetes and heart failure:
Over the course of the four years, the researchers found that people with the combined therapy had an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of 5-6 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of 2 mm Hg compared with the placebo group.
People who got the combined therapy were 9 percent less likely to have a heart disease event, such as stroke or heart attack, over the treatment period. They were also 18 percent less likely to die from heart disease and 14 percent less likely to die from any cause.
By 2030, an estimated 350 million people will be living with diabetes worldwide. Heart disease kills two out of three people with diabetes, who are at increased risk of stroke, heart attacks and related conditions such as degenerative eye disease. Heart diseases are the most common cause of death in diabetics followed by Kidney diseases.
Diabetes is frequently associated with Blood pressure, Obesity and high serum cholesterol levels. According to recent surveys in Europe, 30-40% of heart failure patients have diabetes. Diabetes worsens the prognosis and complicates the management of heart failure. Mortality is more in heart failure patients with diabetes especially in women.
Best Treatment:
1. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and Angiotensin receptor antagonists are most preferred treatment in these patients.
2. Coronary artery bypass in patients with multi-vessel coronary disease is considered to be preferable to catheter interventions with regard to long term outcome.
3. Control of Diabetes with Insulin saves patient from cardio-vascular diseases.
4. Rosiglitazone has negative impact on heart even though it is a good diabetic drug. It increases the rate of occurrence of Myocardial Infarction and Heart failure by fluid retention.
5. Weight reduction, physical exercise and reduction of cholesterol level are best treatment to reduce future cardio vascular complications in diabetic patients.
