Causes & What We Know/July 8, 2026/3 min read

Heart Health Risks in Diabetes: What a New Study Reveals About Control and Type

A study of adults with diabetes in Saudi Arabia found that obesity, inactivity, and cholesterol problems are common—and that blood sugar control matters for heart health. Here's what the findings mean.

PubMed indexed literature

Evidence label explains the kind of source behind this article (for example peer-reviewed literature vs community video). It is not medical advice.

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Key takeaways

More than half of people with diabetes in the study were living with obesity, and three-quarters were physically inactive.
People with poor blood sugar control were significantly more likely to have abnormal LDL and total cholesterol levels.
Type 2 diabetes was more commonly associated with high blood pressure, obesity, and low HDL cholesterol than Type 1 diabetes.
Risk factors varied by sex: men were more likely to have abnormal cholesterol and smoke, while women were more likely to be obese and inactive.

Why This Study Matters

People with diabetes face a higher risk of heart disease—but not all of that risk comes directly from diabetes itself. Modifiable risk factors like high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, and obesity play major roles in whether someone experiences heart problems. Understanding how common these risk factors are, and how they connect to blood sugar control and diabetes type, can help guide conversations about prevention and management.

This study looked at medical records from adults with diabetes who visited a diabetes and endocrine center in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia between December 2024 and May 2025. The researchers examined how often cardiovascular risk factors appeared, and whether they were linked to blood sugar control, diabetes type, and demographic factors like age and sex.

What the Study Found

The findings paint a picture of widespread modifiable risk factors among the study population. More than half (56.6%) were living with obesity. Over three-quarters (76.3%) were physically inactive. Low levels of HDL cholesterol—the 'good' cholesterol that protects the heart—appeared in about half the group (50.6%).

One clear pattern emerged: people whose blood sugar control was poor (HbA1c greater than 8%) were significantly more likely to have abnormal LDL and total cholesterol levels. Specifically, nearly 31% of the poor control group had high LDL and total cholesterol, compared to better-controlled groups (p<0.001).

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Different Risk Profiles

The study found important differences between people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes was strongly linked to high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, and low HDL cholesterol. People with Type 1 diabetes showed lower rates of these conditions overall, suggesting different patterns of cardiovascular risk between the two types.

Sex Differences in Risk Factors

Men and women in the study showed different patterns of cardiovascular risk. Male participants had higher rates of dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol levels) and smoking. Female participants were more likely to be obese and physically inactive. These differences suggest that prevention and management strategies may need to be tailored to address the specific risks most common in each group.

What This Means

This regional study adds to evidence that people with diabetes—especially Type 2—frequently live with multiple cardiovascular risk factors that can be modified through lifestyle changes and medical treatment. The strong link between poor blood sugar control and abnormal cholesterol reinforces why managing glucose levels matters for heart health, not just for diabetes management itself.

While this research is specific to one region and diabetes center, it underscores that addressing modifiable risk factors—weight, activity level, blood pressure, and cholesterol—remains central to reducing heart disease risk in people with diabetes. These are areas where individuals, families, and healthcare teams can work together to make a real difference.

Evidence label

Source: Georgian medical news. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

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