Another study published in 2002 documented a substantially
increased risk of cardiovascular disease prior to clinical
diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes in women. What’s more, the risk
began to increase at least 15 years before diagnosis. The study
hearkens back to research published as early as 1990, in which
it was proposed that the “clock starts ticking” for heart
disease decades before the clinical onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Findings like these have increased interest in taking advantage
of the connection between diabetes and heart disease to conduct
effective early screenings. “There is currently a national task
force at work examining the value of screening people with
coronary disease for diabetes, and screening people with
diabetes for coronary disease,” Dr. Lambrew says. “The American
College of Cardiology and the ADA have formed an alliance to
emphasize prevention and early detection.” Taken together, it
would appear that there are good reasons for people with
diabetes to keep a watch on cardiovascular ris