Gestational diabetes had been connected to cardiovascular disease prior to this study, but little was known of the links between minor glucose intolerance and heart disease. Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease share several characteristics including obesity, insulin resistance and cholesterol problems. Oftentimes, individuals with one condition will develop the other. Women with gestational diabetes may experience similar metabolic complications as soon as 3 months after giving birth.

Researchers analyzed the medical records of all Ontario women between the ages of 20 and 49 who had given birth between April 1994 and March 1998.  Participants were divided into three groups: those who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes, those who received an oral glucose tolerance test, and those who were not screened using oral glucose testing. One birth was selected at random for women with multiple deliveries; the median ages were between 29.2 and 31.1.

Women are tested for gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that develops when women experience unusually high glucose levels during pregnancy) during the second trimester of pregnancy (13-27 weeks). The first step is a glucose challenge test, taken by measuring glucose levels one hour after ingesting a sugary substance such as glucola. If results are abnormal (≥7.8 mmol/L), a second oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT) is taken.

Participants in the study were followed up until March 31, 2008, providing information reflecting cardiovascular disease development for a median of 12.3 years after childbirth. “If you followed 10,000 people for one year, 4.2 of them would have an event,” Dr. Shah explains. “If you followed those 10,000 people for 10 years, 42 of them would have an event…In other words, these are extremely rare events.”

Although the differences were minor—absolute risk was 0.16% and 0.05% for women with gestational diabetes and women who received an OGGT, respectively—the results indicate a need for further research. "We shouldn't be ignoring these mild abnormalities during pregnancy,” Dr. Shah says. “(They) may benefit from extra surveillance and/or cardiovascular disease screening.”

More information is needed to establish the exact relationship between glucose intolerance and cardiovascular disease. In the meantime, proper nutrition and exercise may reduce your risk for both gestational diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Read more about gestational diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

We are delighted to announce that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Healia are working together to improve access to high quality and personalized diabetes information through our online health community Healia Communities. The ADA is the nation’s premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information, and advocacy.

Through this new collaboration, members of Healia Communities will now be able to ask questions of two prominent diabetes experts from the ADA, Dr. Sue Kirkman and Stephanie Dunbar. The ADA will also have a presence on Healia’s diabetes-related communities and have opportunities to communicate directly with Healia Communities members.

• Share your health knowledge, experiences, and favorite resources.
• Connect with people like yourself who’ve experienced your situation.
• Ask questions of the community, your peers, and health professionals

Sue Kirkman, MD is the Vice President of Clinical Affairs for the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Kirkman has primary responsibility for the work of ADA’s Clinical Affairs area, including oversight of the Professional Practice Committee and its clinical practice recommendations and consensus statements, which provide guidance and direction to health care professionals around the world.

Stephanie Dunbar, MPH, RD is the Director of Nutrition and Clinical Affairs at the American Diabetes Association. Stephanie has been with the ADA since August of 2001 and is currently responsible for managing nutrition-related activities and projects for the Association as well as assisting with development of ADA Clinical Practice Recommendations.

Join the Healia / American Diabetes Association Diabetes Community.

American Diabetes Association diabetes online health community

• Approximately 4,110 people are diagnosed with diabetes each day in the United States.
• An estimated 20.8 million children and adults in the United States, or 7% of the population, have diabetes.
• Of the 20.8 million people with diabetes, an estimated 14.6 million have been diagnosed, but 6.2 million people are not aware that they have the disease.
• In 2005, 1.5 million new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in people age 20 years or older.
• Diabetes is the fifth-deadliest disease in the United States.

Type 2 diabetes is a life-long disease and the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not respond correctly to insulin (a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life).

diabetes Type 2 diabetes diabetes prevention