The Real Lessons from Accord

Another recently published study looking at the benefits of lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol targets in people with Type 2 diabetes, used this language in their summary (excuse their ueber-academic style):

"As the effectiveness of therapy improves and new treatment strategies are widely applied, it is becoming more difficult to conduct a trial in which adequate numbers of clinical end points are achievable in a reasonable length of time for individuals without CVD (cardiovascular disease) at baseline."

The translation: "Pesky patients with diabetes are living too long, and no one is getting heart disease!  How can we do our research?!"  These studies also serve as a reminder for Type 2 diabetics that glucose control is not the single most important factor in avoiding cardiovascular complications.  Blood pressure control is probably the most important, followed by keeping your LDL cholesterol on target, and then by glucose control.

btw, although they were not included in this study, it is certainly reasonable to carry these same messages from the ACCORD study over to people with Type 1 diabetes.

So plan your future carefully, as you are probably going to live a long time!