Diabetes is known for being associated with co-morbid conditions like cancer and heart diseases, but researchers using an experimental test have discovered that the 50% of surveyed diabetics may also have undetected heart muscle damage.
MedicalXpress reports that the tests found the previously undetected damage by assessing levels of the protein troponin, which shows up in blood tests when heart cells die, and this damage could be associated with subsequent heart failure and death.
This is a distinct health issue from cholesterol—many diabetics are prescribed statins and researchers say the results indicate statins may not do enough to protect the heart.
