Heart disease threat starts early in life for Diabetics

Diabetes mellitus type I, is due to autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin. Result of this the body no longer produces insulin and and there is a raise in the blood sugar levels. Individuals with this type I Diabetes develop are at a higher risk to develop heart disease even at their teens.

The team of researchers with the University of Southern California and Children's Hospital Los Angeles did a study involving 57 diabetics ages 12 to 21 and a group of adolescents without the disease. They found that the ateries of type I diabetics was associated with aterosclerotic plaques regardless of body weight, family history, smoking and length of time with diabetes.

The study shows that the Diabetics are more prone for developing atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty plaque accumulates inside the arteries and obstructs the flow of blood and oxygen. In the general population, atherosclerosis accounts for roughly 1.5 million heart attacks and 600,000 strokes each year.

Those with more plaque inside their arteries also had higher levels of blood fats such as LDL ("bad") cholesterol and increased blood homocysteine, a substance that is associated with heart disease risk. These results underscore the fact and the need to treat early on.