Patients Studied in Aspirin Trial to Improve Heart Disease Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley

Recently a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that type 2 diabetes patients who were treated with low-dose aspirin were found to have no significant decrease of antherosclerotic events, also known as hardening or clotting of the arteries, although those over the age of 65 with heart disease and type 2 diabetes did see a reduction of antherosclerotic incidence.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) reports that the development of diabetes means more than just managing insulin levels, but it also requires the management of potential risks such as heart disease, heart failure and stroke. According to the ADA, "people with diabetes must also manage blood pressure and cholesterol and talk to their health provider to learn about other ways to reduce their chance for heart attacks and strokes."

What is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease occur for many reasons but often leads to heart failure, which occurs when the blood backs up into the pulmonary veins, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). There are an array of disease and conditions related to cardiovascular disease including:

* 
 arrhythmia

* 
 cardiac rehab

* 
 cholesterol

* 
 congenital heart disease

* 
 diabetes

* 
 heart attack

* 
 heart failure

* 
 high blood pressure

* 
 obesity

* 
 peripheral artery disease

* 
 stroke

Additionally, there are several signs and symptoms that individuals who have type 2 diabetes should watch for, as they may be developing heart failure related to their diabetes or other heart disease: 
 * shortness of breath

* persistent coughing or wheezing

* 
 edema

* tiredness/fatigue

* 
 nausea

* 
 confusion, impaired thinking

* increased heart rate

Developing, Treating Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is when the body cannot or does not produce enough insulin, also known as blood sugar, in order to provide the body with energy. A small sampling of type 2 diabetes drugs available for prescription purposes include the following:

* 
 Avandia

* 
 Actos

* 
 Byetta

Commonly these drugs are used to either introduce insulin to the body or to use the body?s natural insulin levels within the body. However, there are an array of type 2 diabetes drug side effects that can occur. One such drug is known as Byetta, exenatide, from Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly, which has been associated with severe risks among type 2 diabetes patients.

Byetta has allegedly been causing pancreatitis among patients. Those consuming the drug Byetta for their condition may need to consult medical attention or speak to their doctor about potential risks common among the drug's side effects. It may also be necessary for a patient to contact a pharmaceutical attorney to develop litigation or a Byetta class action lawsuit.