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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A large Finnish study found that diabetes independently raises the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) by 38%, even in patients without obstructive coronary artery disease. The risk was even higher in younger patients, those with type 1 diabetes, and those with poor glycemic control. Notably, coronary revascularization in diabetic patients with CAD was linked to a 23% lower SCD risk.
A large retrospective study out of Finland has found that diabetes significantly raises the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) — and that risk persists even when there's no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in the picture. Analyzing over 22,000 patients who underwent coronary angiography between 2007 and 2018, researchers found that diabetic patients faced a 38% higher risk of SCD compared to those without diabetes, independent of their CAD status.
The findings also revealed that for diabetic patients who do have CAD, coronary revascularization was associated with a meaningfully lower SCD risk compared to medication alone. Meanwhile, higher A1c levels correlated with greater fatal SCD risk, pointing to glycemic control as a key lever.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Diabetes is already a well-known cardiovascular risk factor, but this study highlights that SCD risk in diabetic patients goes beyond blocked arteries. Clinicians may need to rethink how they stratify SCD risk in this population — factoring in age, diabetes type, and glycemic control — rather than relying solely on CAD status.
