Dramatic blood sugar spikes that stay for several hours increase the risk of a cardiovascular event. This condition is called impaired glucose tolerance.
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that men with elevated after-meal blood sugar levels were twice more likely to develop a heart attack or stroke than those who had lower blood sugar levels. On the other hand, diabetic women with high after-meal blood sugars levels were at a 5.5 times higher risk to experience a cardiovascular event compared to women with lower blood sugar levels.
Furthermore, people with impaired glucose tolerance were more likely to die due to a cardiovascular disease by 34 percent. Blood sugar, also referred to glucose, affects the heart because it oxidizes and damages linings in major coronary arteries. In addition, it interrupts the production of nitric oxide, which is important to control the dilation and contraction of arteries that supply the heart with blood.
Moreover, blood sugar increases the level of adhesion molecules. These molecules play a role in the development of arterial disease and the associated constriction of the arteries. When blood flow to the heart is reduced or interrupted, a cardiovascular disease is more likely to occur and the risk of dying from it also increases...read more>>>...
