(NaturalHealth365)  Millions of Americans with type 2 diabetes rely on affordable medications to manage their blood sugar, trusting that these drugs are helping rather than harming their long-term health.  But a massive new study from Mass General Brigham has uncovered a troubling reality about one of the most commonly prescribed diabetes medications in America.

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 50,000 patients and discovered that glipizide – the most widely used sulfonylurea diabetes drug in the U.S. – significantly increases cardiovascular risk compared to alternative medications.  The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, reveal a 13% higher risk of major heart-related events that could affect millions of diabetics.

The hidden cardiovascular threat in America’s most popular diabetes pill

Lead researcher Dr. Alexander Turchin from Brigham and Women’s Hospital explains the urgency of these findings: “Patients with type 2 diabetes are at heightened risk of adverse cardiovascular incidents such as stroke and cardiac arrest.  While sulfonylureas are popular and affordable diabetes medications, there is a lack of long-term clinical data on how they affect cardiac health.”

The comprehensive study followed patients for five years, tracking major adverse cardiovascular events including heart attacks, strokes, heart failure hospitalizations, and cardiovascular deaths.  When researchers compared glipizide to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, the results were startling.

Patients taking glipizide faced:

• 9.1% five-year risk of major cardiovascular events versus 8.1% for DPP-4 inhibitors
• A 13% relative increase in cardiovascular risk
• Higher rates of heart failure and related hospitalizations

Why these findings matter for every diabetic patient

What makes this study particularly significant is its real-world scope and methodology.  Rather than relying on limited clinical trials, researchers analyzed electronic health records and insurance claims from the BESTMED consortium, covering patients treated at 10 different study sites nationwide.

The study included 48,165 patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate cardiovascular risk who were taking metformin as their primary medication.  Of these:

• 18,147 patients started glipizide
• 14,282 started glimepiride
• 1,887 started glyburide
• 13,849 started DPP-4 inhibitors

Dr. Turchin emphasizes the clinical significance: “A 13% relative increase in cardiovascular risk, like the one estimated in this study, is potentially clinically impactful.  Decreases in cardiovascular risk of this magnitude have generally been thought to be sufficient for approval of medications for prevention of cardiovascular events.”

One drug class, different risks

While glimepiride and glyburide also showed increased cardiovascular risk compared to DPP-4 inhibitors, their effects were smaller and less statistically significant.  This suggests that not all sulfonylureas carry the same level of risk – a finding that challenges the common medical practice of treating all drugs in a class as equivalent.

The study reveals five-year cardiovascular event rates of:

• 8.1% for DPP-4 inhibitors (reference)
• 8.4% for glyburide
• 8.6% for glimepiride
• 9.1% for glipizide

This research shows that doctors and patients can’t assume all medications in the same family work identically. Each drug has its own risk profile that deserves careful consideration.

What’s causing this increased heart risk?

Scientists are still piecing together why glipizide appears more dangerous for the heart than other similar medications.  These drugs don’t just work in the pancreas – they also affect receptors in the heart muscle and blood vessels.

Animal research suggests that these medications may interfere with the heart’s natural ability to protect itself when blood flow is compromised.  But glipizide doesn’t seem to target heart receptors any more aggressively than other drugs in its class, which leaves researchers scratching their heads.

This uncertainty means that patients and doctors need to have honest conversations about medication choices, rather than defaulting to whatever’s cheapest or most familiar.

Diabetes and heart health: 5 natural strategies that do both

Diet plays a huge role.  Many people see improvements when they focus on foods that don’t spike blood sugar – think vegetables, quality proteins, nuts, seeds and healthy fats while cutting back on processed carbs that send glucose levels on a wild ride.

Some nutrients seem to help both diabetes and heart health.  Fish oil from quality sources might reduce inflammation while supporting healthy blood vessels.  Magnesium helps with glucose processing and blood pressure.  Chromium and alpha-lipoic acid show promise for improving how your body uses insulin.

Exercise doesn’t have to mean joining a gym.  Regular walks help your muscles utilize glucose more effectively while giving your heart a workout.  The key is doing something consistently rather than going all-out occasionally.

Stress management matters more than most people realize.  Chronic stress affects both blood sugar and heart health, so finding genuine ways to relax – whether that’s through meditation, hobbies, or simply getting enough sleep – can yield significant benefits.

Inflammation is linked to diabetes and heart problems, so natural anti-inflammatory approaches, such as using foods like turmeric and ginger, may help break that connection.

The best approach typically involves collaborating with a holistic healthcare provider who understands that managing diabetes effectively means considering the whole person, not just blood sugar levels.

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Sources for this article include:

Jamanetwork.com
Medicalxpress.com