Khaberni - A recent study from the University of Sydney has revealed that type 2 diabetes doesn't just affect blood sugar levels but can also cause significant structural changes in the heart long before any clinical symptoms appear, increasing the risk of "heart failure".
The study's findings showed that diabetes gradually weakens the heart muscle, making it stiffer and less capable of pumping blood—changes that may remain hidden for years.
The study was based on the examination of human hearts donated for research, comparing healthy hearts with those of people with diabetes and advanced heart disease; this gave the findings greater credibility compared to studies that rely on animal models.
According to researchers, diabetes causes disruption in the heart muscle’s microscopic structure and loss of its natural elasticity, and also affects the cardiac cells' ability to produce energy.
In a healthy state, the heart relies on a delicate balance of fats, glucose, and other energy sources, but insulin resistance associated with diabetes impedes glucose from entering the cells; this puts pressure on the mitochondria and leads to a decline in cardiac muscle efficiency over time.
Among the most significant findings observed in the study, was an increase in fibrosis within the heart muscle, where fibrous tissue resembling scars accumulates at the expense of elastic tissue; making the process of contraction and relaxation more difficult, especially during physical exertion.
The damage was more severe in those with diabetes alongside ischemic heart diseases; the two conditions together form a molecular pattern that speeds up the progression to heart failure.
The researchers emphasized that these findings could change the future of cardiac risk assessment for diabetes patients, and open the door to treatments targeting the protection of heart energy or reducing fibrosis before symptoms appear.
