Hello. I had a mild heart attack in October and now have been told I'm pre diabetic. Would the tablets I'm on have anything to do with this? Candesartan, Bisoprolol, Aspirin, Eplerenone, Omeprazole, Ticagrelor & newly started Rosuvastatin (as ALT level was high on previous statin)?
Pre diabetic: Hello. I had a mild heart... - British Heart Fou...
Pre diabetic
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Duvetdays15
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Hello 
I am sorry about your heart attack and just when we think that is enough to deal with something else comes along
I seem to have more wrong with me since my heart attacks and Bypasses than I ever had before
I in the past have been borderline when it comes to been diabetic a few changes and I have so far escaped it so sometimes when it is borderline changes in diet can help and your next blood test might be different
I am not a Doctor but I do not think your medications would cause this , others might be able to answer you on that better than me but I would say doubtful and when you speak with your Doctor again you could ask but you need the meds for your heart
I hope your next blood test will come back better x
Duvetdays15 in reply to
Thank you. It does seem like at the moment if it's not one thing it's another! I am going to make changes, hopefully it will help. I definitely don't want more medication!
in reply to Duvetdays15
Hello
It can be amazing what a few changes can do
The other thing as well years ago when you had this blood test they would tell you to fast the night before , I once went and I had forgot and they would not do it
Now they don't tell you to fast and so there are more people coming out borderline
For example
My Husband he is so thin and he walks and is healthy , he had the blood test done a few years ago and he came back borderline we all nearly dropped with shock
The next time he had it done I told him to fast and guess what it came back that low they started worrying about that so it makes you wonder
I can also relate to you not wanting another med which hopefully will give you incentive to make those changes my Doctor not meds for my heart I take enough of them already but is always trying to offer me other things and I actually said to her I tell you what you try taking this lot and see how you feel she did actually laugh knowing I had a point
You can get this good again I know you can and come and let us know if the changes work when you have it done again x
Duvetdays15 in reply to
Thank you for your kind words. I have found the same with cholesterol blood tests wasn't told to fast and it was high.
in reply to Duvetdays15
They don't require us to fast now yet it used to be a must all so confusing keep changing their minds :-)Try not to be to concerned just make a few changes and see what the next blood test is could be a total turnaround
I hope the replies you have had have made you feel a bit better x
If you are told to eat normally before a diabetic test, then it’s important to do that, or your results cannot be interpreted correctly. These test instructions (or changes) only follow a huge amount of research.I was found pre- diabetic and did the on-line course.
It’s helped with making big changes (exercise, diet, stress) that help heart health, too.
Heart disease and T2 diabetes go together like a horse and carriage. It's not just that risk factors for one are also risk factors for the other (which they are), the relationship is much tighter than that.
When we eat a typical 21st century diet (processed foods, high carb and low fibre foods, sugary drinks, sugary and salty snacks, takeaways, and near constant snacking) we produce way more insulin than previous generations ever did. Over time all that insulin is nearly as damaging to our arteries as smoking. Eventually we slip into a vicious spiral, where to deal with our constantly elevated blood glucose levels we need more and more insulin, as our bodies start to become "insulin resistant". Like a drug addict needing a bigger fix we need ever growing amounts of insulin.
It's a fair bet that a high percentage of people on this forum are pre-diabetic, but most of them won't recognise it. For reasons I've never fully understood doctors tend not to ring warning bells until quite late in the process. That's a shame as caught early enough T2 diabetes can be reversed with a few life style changes. They're not always easy, but they do work.
I've managed to take my HbA1c scores (which most people here can see in the blood tests from their annual GP cardio check up) from pre-diabetic to well down in the safe zone. There's nothing special about what I did, the same initiatives would work for most people in my position.
1. I lost a couple of stone to get me back to a healthy BMI. What's more I weigh myself regularly so I've kept the weight off for nearly four years.
2. I eat a healthy diet with fewer carbs. I still have some pasta, rice, bread, and potatoes, but in moderation and not all together. I tend to have less than 180g of carbs per day, and I stick to higher fibre versions of carbs, so wholemeal pasta, brown rice, potatoes with the skins on, sourdough bread with a percentage of wholegrain flour, etc.
3. I exercise regularly, at or above the NHS recommended 150 minutes per week.
4. I don't eat between meals, that means zero snacking! In fact I only eat in a window from 1.00pm to 9.00pm, so for the remaining 16 hours I have nothing but water, black coffee, and green tea.
My GP believes my route into heart disease was via insulin resistance/pre-diabetes. By implementing these changes I'm fairly confident that my risk of a heart attack, stroke, or full blown T2 diabetes is no more than that of the general population, and probably quite a bit lower.
Sounds like with a few life style changes you also could turn your health around.
Good luck!
Thank you. Lots of good advice to act upon. Can I ask what you have/can suggest for breakfast? I do tend to have toast, then sandwich for lunch, which is probably too much carbs and that's before dinner?
Brown bread is better for you (slow release carbs, porridge is also good for slow release and cholesterol. If you feel energetic, maybe a couple of slices of grilled bacon and some grilled tomatoes.
Only comment is that some GPs are telling me they have been instructed more recently to use a rather lower threshold for pre-diabetes, and now think it’s rather low,. I was pleased to know I was pre-diabetic so , like you, I could take action.
in reply to Chappychap
Your bullet points concerning weight loss are very relevant. I am not pre-diabetic but for other reasons I have successfully slowly lost 11kg off 83kg since the beginning of March this year, without it being any problem whatsoever. Just a little application. I believe regular exercise, cutting out unnecessary sugary food such as cakes and biscuits (not that I had much of those to start with) and snacks like crisps, and in my case reducing alcohol intake, are the key to losing weight. However I haven't cut down in any way on carbs like bread, potatoes, pasta, rice etc etc , since I do believe they are important to keep you going throughout the day especially if you are active. I have also not cut down on portion size. In my view the last thing you want to be when you are trying to lose weight is hungry all the time, since that works as a disincentive in the long run.
"Annual GP cardio check" What Annual GP cardio check?! I think my husband's GP must have missed the memo!
I missed that memo too! No contact at all from myGP after my heart attack and the latest telephone appointment is going to be 22 days after I queried my statin!
At least in England & Wales the recommended care programme for anyone who has had heart issues (ie heart attack, stents, bypass, valve issues, etc) is an annual check up by the GP or at least a specialist practise nurse.
This used to be face to face and included being weighed and having a basic ECG, but I've just been notified that my next one later this month will still be via telephone.
We give a blood sample a week or so before and are talked through the results (are our medications damaging our liver, do our HaB1c scores show any risk of T2 diabetes, what are our cholesterol scores, etc, etc). We are supposed to monitor our own blood pressure and heart rate for the previous week and the results are discussed, we talk about our BMI scores and other life style issues, and we discuss our medication.
This is the critical event in my health monitoring calendar, it's the main opportunity for checking if my medication and life style changes have been working to keep me safe and well.
It's clear from comments on this forum that unfortunately it's a bit of a post code lottery, some GP's take this very seriously, others don't seem to bother. But if you've not been offered one then ask, as I believe every heart patient is entitled to one. Over time these build up into a thorough analysis of your health and progress. Really worthwhile in my opinion.
Good luck!
This is interesting as I live in Wales and have been diabetic since 2012. My yearly check is diabetic related BUT even if the cardiac side of things is checked without me even noticing I have never had an ECG as part of my check up, since my bypass in 2017. It would be interesting to see a link to these 'care programmes'.
I'm struggling to find the precise document I'm looking for, which spells out exactly what the Annual Cardiac Check Up is and who it's for.
None the less you can pretty much piece it together from these two links,
The first link is from the NHS about their annual health checks, this spells out that if you have high blood pressure or a history of heart issues you should have a different health check.
nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-healt...
Then this is the NICE document that lists the recommended individual components of an annual cardio assessment.
nice.org.uk/guidance/qs28/c...
If I were you I'd really push for this, the annual HbA1c test alone makes it worthwhile. If my HbA1c scores started to tick up then I'd toughen my diet, increase my exercise, and pay for a private HbA1c test a few months later to monitor progress. Touch wood my HbA1c scores have been stable so far, so I know my current diet and exercise regime is working for me.
Good luck!
My diabetic test especially the blood tests will show my Hba1C, kidney and thyroid performance also my cholesterol.
An ECG even when I had angina didn't reveal anything. Not sure what else the diabetic check up needs.
Sounds like you've got it covered!
Quite different here in Scotland. Health checks by GP "offered to people aged 40 - 74 without pre-existing conditions every 5 years" - comprising BP, BMI and cholesterol check. Personally , at the age of 69, I'm still waiting for the offer! Likewise my husband who, until his emergency heart surgery 2 years ago at the age of 71, had no pre-existing medical conditions!!
Doesn't seem to be the case in Scotland though that may be because my husband is still being followed up by the hospital cardiologists.
That would explain it, this is only after the hospital has discharged the patient back to the care of their GP.
There is a significant association with statins and an increased risk of diabetes.
webmd.com/diabetes/news/201....
There are a number of studies which have shown an association. I have no idea if the risk varies from one make of statin to the next. From memory I seem to recall the patient information leaflet on the statins I was prescribed mentioned a risk, although I've long since stopped taking them so I cannot check.
However, the cause of T2D is consuming more carbs than your body is able to process. How many carbs you can handle will vary with age, general health and from person to person.
What many people believe to be healthy options can be loaded with carbs:
Orange juice
Bananas
Oatmeal
All bread
Pasta
To name but a few. Fortunately you've been made aware of the developing situation before it has progressed into T2D, so is almost certainly avoidable with dietary intervention.
I'm surprised orange juice is one of them that's what I have for breakfast and a daily banana.
Orange juice, like most fruit, is loaded with fructose. My Type 2 was diagnosed when I was in hospital for something else 20 years ago, and the Diabetic Liaison Nurse visited me on the ward, gave me a testing kit and advised me not to eat too much fruit. According to her, grapes are the worst, no more than 6 at any one time. I managed the first 6 years or so on diet alone, since then with Metformin. I just watch my diet without going overboard about it and I do have occasional treats. When eating out I have whatever I fancy. According to my surgery, Type 2s do not need to test their own blood, twice yearly by the phlebotomist is sufficient, but I disagree and buy my own test strips and lancets so I keep an eye on my blood glucose and act accordingly if it seems to be a bit high.I do also have angina and have been referred to the Cardiac Referral Assessment Service, whoever they are, and they will decide whether or not I need to be seen by a cardiologist. I'm not sure just what direct referrals to a consultant GPs can still do these days.
Good luck, keep us up to date with your progress.
All fruit juices are really just the fruit sugar with the healthy fibre removed. It’s a no no for diabetics. It’s not even allowed to be one of your five a day.
No juice at all with breakfast? I have a small glass of orange, apple, apple and mango for example with breakfast. Apart from that I only drink water and tea.
You can drink whatever you like. However all of those are high in sugar and apple juice is particularly damaging to dental enamel. Tropical fruits like mango are even higher in sugar. The choice is ultimately yours. I have a genetic disposition for diabetes and I was prediabetic and have reversed it. I have literally no intention of becoming diabetic. Its a high risk factor for cardiac issues. It causes kidney damage. Can cause blindness. And I’m not taking any more meds than I have to. I’ve made my choices based on science. See Dr David Unwin and Michael Moseley for more info.
Just to even this up a little.
There is a clear association that people who opt out of Statin have a significant chance of having either a second Heart Attack or even a Stroke !!!!
Regards
I was pre-diabetic a few years ago and no longer am. It was a question of diet, weight loss, and exercise. I am on BP medication, a statin and a daily 75mg aspirin. None of them cause diabetes! MichaelJH is quite knowledgeable about this but is currently recovering from surgery.
Interesting reading thanks
If you're a post-menopausal woman, statins can incrase your risk of pre-diabetes by 48%. Not many doctors seem to know this; mine did, took me off statin - and pre-diabetes results receded. There's good quality research aroud: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/225... You do have to weight up the risk versus the protection ascribed to statin.
Thanks for this, interesting reading. Unfortunately I can't see that they would take me off my statin. I have just restarted HRT I was on it last year and came off at the time of heart attack. I definitely do question what else is going on in my body on one hand the medication I am is needed on the other what is it doing to my insides?!
Take a look on the BHF website, it gives you the drugs that can increase blood sugar pushing many of us into pre-diabetes even though we have healthy lifestyles. My HBaC1 increased putting me in the range, I'm hoping my recent Dapaglaflozin will redress the balance.
Diagnosed pre diabetic on 1 or more tests? I learnt the hard way with my diagnosis and would make the following observations from my experience.
Don't take 1 blood test with a high hbac1 result as fact, gain at least 3 so you have an average to reflect where you're at.
Challenge your GP about possible other causes.
Whilst gaining that true picture have an honest look at your weight, diet and exercise routine and make sensible changes to them, if necessary, as suggested in earlier responses.
Gain dietary advice from your GP or surgery dieticians if they have one, use the GI food index to help make healthier choices.
A pre diabetic diagnosis is a warning, dependant at what part of the range you're at you have time to change things. GO SLOWLY with changes and see what effect they have on weight and glucose levels.
Duvetdays15 in reply to
1 test. Hba1c dcct aligned is 6.1. Hba1c Ifcc standardised is 44.
You might want to discuss the possible side effects of Rosuvastatin with your cardio / gp.
I have looked at the side effects of rosuvastatin can't see anything about diabetes. Although have read with interest the links provided above about statins. Getting an appointment with GP is like winning the lottery!
I've found the patient information leaflet here:
emc-prod-ukwest-wa.azureweb...
It includes this snippet.
PiL rosuvastatin
Thanks just read the leaflet in my box! Will definitely speak to GP about this.
Very unlikely to be tablets; hundreds are on the same mix. I'd ask for another test, maybe ask why they no longer do fasting blood tests. My husband was diagnosed pre diabetic in his 40s. He was in his 60s before it developed into type 2 diabetes. He was on no tablets for anything BUT he didn't change his lifestyle or eating habits and still hasn't so who knows if it could have been prevented.
"Pre diabetes" , to my mind, is a like being a "bit pregnant". Abnormal HBa1c figures simply mean you have diabetes, a glucose test where a set amount of sugar is consumed and a test done will be a more accurate test. I have been T2 for 30 years, I can control my blood sugars by diet and excercise, but I cannot change the way my body responds to a dose of sugar. Finger prick testing will soon show how your body handles carbohydrates, an HbA1c will give the doctors an idea of a sort of average over 3 months or so. ( Not really an average I know ), which is useful for them. However it is the peaks in sugar that cause many of the problems and the peaks (highs) will be seen with a finger prick test but not an HbA1c. Diabetes UK is the go site for information, they know a lot more than me!
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