Diabetic Retinopathy Indicates Cardiovascular Event Risk

The presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy predicts the risk of future cardiovascular (CV) events such as stroke and heart attack.  In fact, there appears to be a close association! Researchers evaluated the relationship between diabetic retinopathy, its 4-year progression and CV outcomes including CV death or nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke was analyzed in participants in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) Trial who also participated in the ACCORD Eye Study. The diabetic retinopathy was classified as either none, mild, moderate, or severe and whether it was worsening was also graded. The hazard of CV death or nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke increased by 38% for every category of change in retinopathy severity and steps of progression further raised the hazard. Thus the researchers believe that both the severity of retinopathy and its progression are determinants of predisposition to CV outcomes.

If you or someone you know has a question about diabetic retinopathy and future risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke, please feel free to call Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center at 219-464-8223, or visit Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center or facebook.com/nwindianaeyeandlaser.

Northwest Indiana Eye & Laser Center offices are located at 522 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 and 1001 South Edgewood Drive, Knox, Indiana 46354.