While both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes raise the risk of heart disease and death, the effect is pronounced differently in men and women, according to a study.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide, and individuals with T1D or T2D are at greater risk compared to the general population.

Researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden showed that younger men with T2D have worse mortality and CVD outcomes than those with T1D.

However, for women of all ages, almost all outcomes are worse for T1D than for T2D.

“Women with Type 1 diabetes often develop the disease at a young age, so they live with it longer, which increases their lifetime risk of heart and blood vessel problems. They may also lose some of the natural protection women usually have against heart disease, and often receive less aggressive treatment for cardiovascular disease than men,” said Dr. Vagia Patsoukaki, from the varsity.

“In contrast, younger men with type 2 diabetes tend to have more risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and unhealthy lifestyles. Their diabetes is often more aggressive, and they may be diagnosed later, making their early outcomes worse. Even though being female is generally protective, in T1D that protection is weaker, possibly due to longer exposure to high blood sugar,” Patsoukaki added.

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