What is it and what does it mean for your heart?

By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter

SUNDAY, Feb. 12, 2023 (HealthDay News) — You might think of cholesterol when considering your cardiovascular health.

It’s also important to consider your A1C levels.

Sugar is just as bad for the heart as cholesterol, if not worse, says Dr Daniel Lodgethoracic surgeon at Penn State Health Specialty Services in Reading, Pennsylvania.

“Diabetes is a much bigger risk factor,” he said in a health system press release.

While about 11% of Americans have diabetes, about 30% of people with heart disease have it.

Lodge explained a bit about what exactly A1C measurements are and what it can mean for the heart.

“Sugar binds to red blood cells, and hemoglobin A1C is the amount of sugar bound to red blood cells. It measures average blood sugar levels over the past three months,” Lodge said.

Over time, high blood sugar causes blood vessels to harden and block, he added.

Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Heart and vascular diseases are a common cause of death in people with diabetes.

It’s hard to tell if your A1C is too high or too low because there are no symptoms. Testing is key, Lodge said.

“Every adult over 45 — or under 45 with risk factors — should be checked every three years, even with previous normal results,” Lodge said. “Risk factors include being overweight, being physically active less than three times a week, prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.”

It can be assessed as part of a routine blood test.

An A1C level below 5.7% is considered normal, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A level of 5.7% to 6.4% is considered prediabetes. Diabetics have an A1C level of 6.5% or higher. The objective is to maintain the level at 7% for diabetics.

Lodge suggests that people can stay healthy by following their diet and avoiding sugar and carbs. Weight loss can help lower A1C. Any type of exercise also helps.

Various medications also help lower A1C levels, he noted. A new variety called SGLT2 inhibitors lowers blood sugar and A1C and has the side effect of weight loss, which also helps.

SOURCE: Penn State Health, press release, February 9, 2023

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