More on Insulin vs Lifespan-: was- Re: New Here

[Guest guest]

> But, for those insulin-taking diabetics,

> the heart-problems are most likely the result

> of poor bg control for a long time.

Not necessarily, there are many causes of heart attacks other than

diabetes. I wouldn't like to make any assumptions.

> I don't see anything in that study that related the

> condition to bg levels of the subjects, just the

> fact that they were taking insulin.

They were comparing advanced heart patients being treated with

insulin to similar patients being treated with oral medication after

exclusion of all other confounding factors. It is the relative

mortality (survival for 1 year) of the two that differs by a factor

of four times.

> Maybe I'm saying the same thing your are!

I am sure you are. I was saying that Kathleen's statement was only

partially correct, the higher mortality reported was for a

particular class of patient, those hospitalized for a serious heart

disorder. It cannot be applied to diabetics in general.

The lesson to be drawn from it for us is: Do everything possible to

avoid being hospitalized for a serious heart disorder! That clearly

includes maintaining low BGs but it also implies the need for close

attention to cardiac health. Just concentrating on BGs and

neglecting other health aspects is not the way to go, but we knew

that already, right?

Regards

T