In an alarming research study, scientists have shown that teenagers who have diabetes may already be having cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers for the study found that teenaged boys seem to be more at risk from cardiovascular disease in their teens from atherosclerosis. Boys who smoked, or inhaled smoke from the environment or have unfavorable blood lipid levels are more at risk from having atherosclerosis at a young age.Atherosclerosis or clogged arteries happens in the process where fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium etc are deposited on the inner lining of the arteries. This build up is called plaque. Plaques can reduce the blood flow, and if they stop blood from reaching the heart it can cause a cardiac arrest. When plaque stops the blood from reaching the brain, it can cause a stroke.
Researchers among other things have tested intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery that can hint the progress of atherosclerosis. The results showed that teenage boys with diabetes have higher IMT than those without diabetes. Also this tendency is more in boys than in girls. Researchers feel that girls appear to have a gender benefit in terms of atherosclerosis from diabetes than boys.
The results were presented in American Diabetes Association 65th Scientific Sessions.
