Silent Hypoglycemia May Cause Heart Problems in Diabetics

Asymptomatic and prolonged hypoglycemia may increase the risk of arrhythmias in patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, according to a study of 25 insulin-treated patients who underwent simultaneous continuous interstitial glucose and electrocardiogram monitoring. There were 134 hours of recording at hypoglycemia, 65 hours at hyperglycemia, and 1258 hours at normal blood glucose levels. Bradycardia and atrial and ventricular ectopic counts were significantly elevated during nighttime hypoglycemia. Arrhythmias were more frequent during nighttime vs. daytime hypoglycemia. Abnormal heart measurements (QT intervals >500 ms and abnormal T-wave morphology) were also observed during hypoglycemia in some participants. The findings were published in Diabetes.