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Even diabetics who keep their condition under
control and do not have any obvious symptoms of heart disease
may be at risk for hidden
heart problems.
The findings suggest heart function should be evaluated soon after type
2 diabetes is diagnosed, even when there are no apparent signs of heart
disease.
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD)
is an impairment in the relaxation phase of the heart's left ventricle,
the main pumping chamber. This can lead to increased pressure
and fluids in the lungs
or in vessels that return blood to the heart
and may be the first sign of diabetes-related heart damage.
The major finding of this study is that LVDD is much more prevalent than
previously suggested in subjects with type 2 diabetes who are free of
clinically detectable heart disease.
Diabetes Care 2000;24:5-10
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