An international team of researchers, with clinical support from Mercy Catholic Medical Center, has identified a concerning association between prediabetes in younger people and an elevated risk of heart attack compared with peers who maintain normal blood sugar. The findings were shared at a conference focused on treatment research and outcomes and organized by the American Heart Association. The researchers based their conclusions on careful analysis of hospital records to inform public health strategies across North America.
Prediabetes is defined by fasting blood glucose values ranging from 5.5 to 7.0 millimoles per liter. These levels are higher than what is considered normal but do not meet the criteria for type 2 diabetes. By concentrating on individuals aged 18 to 44, the study reviewed hospitalization data to explore how prediabetes could influence cardiovascular outcomes among younger adults.
Within the study group, the percentage of heart attack events among those with prediabetes was 2.13 percent, compared with about 0.3 percent among those without prediabetes. Additional health indicators were more common in the prediabetes group: high cholesterol appeared in 68.1 percent of patients, obesity affected 48.9 percent, and indicators of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were present in roughly a quarter of cases. These numbers point to a cluster of risk factors that may heighten cardiovascular vulnerability even in early adulthood.
After adjusting for a range of influencing factors, the researchers concluded that young adults with prediabetes were roughly 1.7 times more likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack than their peers without prediabetes. The magnitude of this increased risk highlights the importance of early identification and proactive management of blood sugar levels to safeguard heart health during early adulthood. The result adds to growing recognition that prediabetes is a condition deserving attention beyond the risk of developing diabetes later in life.
Experts involved in the work recommend regular monitoring of fasting glucose and other metabolic markers, along with strategies aimed at preventing progression from prediabetes to diabetes. Emphasizing a balanced diet, consistent physical activity, and the elimination of unhealthy habits remains central to lowering cardiovascular risk. Public health programs in Canada and the United States could benefit from integrating these insights into education campaigns and preventive care guidelines, encouraging early lifestyle changes before more serious conditions arise.
The study underscores the need for clinicians to view prediabetes as a modifiable risk factor in younger populations. By addressing glucose levels and cardiovascular risk in tandem, healthcare providers can offer more comprehensive care that supports long-term heart health. Ongoing research will help determine which interventions deliver the strongest benefits and how best to integrate risk reduction into routine medical practice across North America.
Overall, the work conveys a practical message: preventing the progression from prediabetes to diabetes is closely linked to protecting the heart. Simple, sustained changes in diet, activity, and habits offer promise for reducing the burden of heart disease among young people with elevated blood sugar and for improving outcomes across communities in the United States and Canada.