Monday, November 10, 2014

Diabetic Retinopathy & Risk of Cardiovascular Events


Fairfield CountyOphthalmologist Claudia Castiblanco, M.D. alerted patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy about their increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events. “We know very well that diabetes causes significant blood vessel disease throughout a person’s body. Very important for to advise patients about is the close association between the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy and future cardiovascular (CV) events such as heart attack or stroke,” stated Dr. Castiblanco.

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. “The health of the retina may provide us with an anatomical index of the effect of metabolic and blood vessel factors on future CV outcomes and events,” summarized Dr. Castiblanco.

If you or someone you know has questions or concerns about diabetes, diabetic eye problems, diabeticretinopathy and the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates is a leading Fairfield County Connecticut eye care practice with offices at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.