Metformin and Heart Attack
You’re reading this because you’re on the lookout for Metformin and Heart Attack information and how this help with your diabetes condition…
Most treatments for diabetes focus on blood sugar and insulin. In reality it’s much more complicated than this specific chemical relationship. A number of other chemicals, such as calcium and calcitonin are also involved. It appears this is why so many diabetics also develop other health problems along the way.
With the potential side effects from Metformin (or any medication), you need to understand the risks and how to prevent them. A very high percentage of people with diabetes experience a fatal heart attack rather than life-threatening consequences of the primary disease.
Using Metformin increases the risk of having a heart attack.
A complex profile of issues leads to a rare occurrence of heart attack as a side effect from using Metformin. You may want to consider testing for some of these factors. One of the reasons this happens is that many heart conditions remain undiagnosed.
Even with the complex picture involved in heart attack related to diabetes and the usage of Metformin, there is one factor that can checked, regardless any other concern. Elevated levels of homocysteine in the body are a strong indicator of risk.
Metformin and Heart Attack
Homocysteine is an amino acid that naturally exists in the body. Typically it is broken down and used, so when levels increase this indicates an imbalance in body chemistry. The build up is connected to damage to the heart muscle and hardening of the arteries. Homocycsteine typically occurs as a result of digesting protein-rich foods. Diabetes rely on protein to lower and manage glycemic index of meals and snacks. This may be one of the connections that relates to the problem.
Another illness is also connected to homocycsteine. In this case, diabetes is actually a side effect of the disease. For many women, however, diabetes is diagnosed before the pre-cursor illness. The illness PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) often leads to increased levels of the amino acid in question. PCOS can be difficult to pin down and identify. Metformin is frequently prescribed for this condition that regularly includes diabetes.
Vitamin B deficiencies have been connected to elevated homocycsteine levels as well. Many experts recommend increasing your intake of this vitamin group to help process the amino acid. As depleted Vitamin B levels may also occur while taking Metformin, supplementing this part of your diet can be very important.
You can see, there is a potential for a negative feedback loop between heart conditions and medication. For individuals with healthy hearts and no risk, this problem may never arise. Be assured, it is a rare side effect when no negative history is known. Some studies have shown for those without any previous history, Metformin can help a person be healthier and actually reduce risk factors for cardiovascular problems.
Now that you’ve learned about Metformin and Heart Attack consult with your doctor and see what he/she recommends to you.
