Prediabetes is Linked to Coronary Artery Calcification

According to the CDC, 96 million adults in America have prediabetes. Additionally, the majority of people with prediabetes are unaware of their disease. And prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition that deserves attention not only because it can lead to type 2 diabetes, but because the condition is associated with other diseases. For example, a recent study reveals that there is a link between prediabetes and coronary artery calcification.

The American Diabetes Association and the CDC define prediabetes as follows: 5.7% ≤ HbA1c ≤ 6.4%;  100 mg/dL ≤ FPG ≤ 125 mg/dL;  140 mg/dL  ≤ OGTT≤ 199 mg/dL. Prediabetes is known to be associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney problems and, of course, diabetes. And, as mentioned above, the link to coronary artery calcification has been uncovered.

Coronary artery calcification, or CAC, is a buildup of calcium in the two main arteries of the heart, commonly known as the coronary arteries. This buildup occurs after about five years of plaque (fat and cholesterol) formation in the arteries. CAC is a sign of coronary artery disease and can provide information to your healthcare practitioner to assist them in assessing your cardiovascular risk.

In the CAC study, three groups of participants were established using fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c. One group was defined by the following prediabetes characteristics: 100 mg/dL ≤ FBG ≤ 125 mg/dL and HbA1c < 5.7%). Another group was defined by the following: FBG < 100 mg/dl and 5.7% ≤ HbA1c ≤ 6.4%. And finally, one group was defined by the following:  100 mg/dL ≤ FBG ≤ 125 mg/dL and 5.7% ≤ HbA1c ≤ 6.4%. Consisting of 1541 participants, the study took place between 2011 to 2019. None of the participants had a history of cardiovascular disease.

The investigators concluded that "CAC risk and CAC progression were consistently highest in individuals meeting both [the] glucose and HbA1c criteria" for prediabetes, while individuals meeting either one of the prediabetes criteria "showed a significantly increased risk of CAC progression."

The study just adds more evidence to the greatly held position that prediabetes should be treated because of its link to more serious health conditions.

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