Recent research from the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has shed light on the subtle but serious effects of cardiovascular damage in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study particularly highlights a notable gender disparity, with evidence suggesting that women are disproportionately affected by a condition known as coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD).
CMD, which signifies early but often overlooked heart damage, arises from impaired blood flow in the smallest vessels of the heart. Using advanced MRI technology, the investigators found that 46% of women in the study exhibited signs of CMD, in contrast to just 26% of their male counterparts. “We’re seeing early warning signs of heart disease that aren’t picked up through routine checks, and it’s women who seem to be most affected,” explained Gerry McCann, NIHR Research Professor at the University of Leicester and the lead investigator of the study.
What makes these findings particularly noteworthy is that all participants were asymptomatic, meaning they did not have any diagnosed heart problems nor did they report any symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. However, the MRI scans revealed a different narrative regarding their cardiovascular health.
Dr. Gaurav Gulsin, a co-author of the study and NIHR Clinical Lecturer, pointed out critical differences in the contributing factors to CMD between genders. The research indicated that, for women, a higher body mass index (BMI) was most closely associated with CMD. In contrast, men displayed a stronger correlation between CMD and elevated blood pressure. “This suggests we may need to rethink how we assess cardiovascular risk and that women and men could warrant sex-specific treatments,” Gulsin noted.
This significant study signifies a collaborative effort among various research teams within the NIHR Leicester BRC, combining expertise from cardiovascular, lifestyle, and diabetes sectors. “This is a fantastic example of what happens when teams across specialisms come together with a shared goal to spot disease earlier and improve outcomes for patients,” remarked Professor Melanie Davies CBE, Director of the NIHR Leicester BRC and co-author of the paper. “The findings have significant implications for future prevention strategies. Interventions such as weight loss for women and blood pressure management for men could assist in minimizing early heart damage before it leads to more severe conditions like heart failure, particularly prevalent among individuals with type 2 diabetes.”
The NIHR Leicester BRC operates under the auspices of the National Institute for Health Research and collaborates with several esteemed institutions including the University of Leicester, Loughborough University, and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group.
For further insights, consult the findings published by the University of Leicester.
