Sometimes we think that if we have well-controlled glucose, we are already doing everything necessary.And yes, it is essential.But a recent study published in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice reminds us that in type 1 diabetes there are other factors that can also influence our cardiovascular risk, even when the values seem correct.
The research has been carried out by the Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí, in collaboration with the Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili and the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, within the framework of the Networked Biomedical Research Center for Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases.The team analyzed 179 people with type 1 diabetes without a previous cardiovascular history and found a clear association between abdominal fat and early vascular aging.
What is interesting—and also what invites reflection—is that approximately 10% of the people studied showed signs of accelerated vascular aging despite having good control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile.That is, it is not always enough for “the numbers to be right.”
In type 1 diabetes, insulin is essential to live.But over the years it can lead to gradual weight gain.When this increase is concentrated in the abdominal area, it can affect the elasticity of the arteries.The loss of arterial elasticity is related to the degradation of elastin, a key protein in the vascular wall, and can be the basis of complications such as heart attack, stroke or involvement of the retina, kidneys and peripheral nervous system.
One of the most practical aspects of the study is that it focuses on something very simple to measure: the waist-height index, which is calculated by dividing the waist circumference by the height.They detected that a value equal to or greater than 0.56 was clearly associated with accelerated vascular aging, measured by pulse wave velocity, a non-invasive technique that evaluates arterial stiffness.According to the researchers, this index seems more accurate in identifying risk than other better-known indicators such as BMI or waist-hip ratio.
This has a direct impact on our daily lives.It's not about obsessing about the scale, but about understanding that the distribution of body fat matters, especially in type 1 diabetes. Perhaps we don't talk enough about body composition, muscle strength or how the passage of time and insulin can influence our metabolism.
It is also an important message for our families and couples.Many times they see that “the glucose is fine” and think that everything is under control.These types of studies remind us that diabetes is much more than specific numbers;It is a complex condition that requires a global and long-term view.
In the forum there are people with decades of history of type 1 diabetes. Have you noticed changes in your weight over the years?Have you ever measured your waist-height ratio?Sharing experiences can help those who are just starting out or those who believe that having a good HbA1c is enough.
Continuing to learn together, question ourselves and share what we discover is a powerful way to take care of ourselves.Because living with diabetes is not just surviving, it is understanding our body, anticipating when we can and supporting each other as a community at every stage of the journey.
