Which organ warns about heart problems in diabetes

Eyes as a mirror of heart health: British scientists made a breakthrough in the diagnosis of heart diseases in diabetics

Researchers from the University of Leicester made an important discovery: a routine eye examination in patients with type 2 diabetes can reveal hidden heart problems. The results of this revolutionary study were published in the authoritative scientific journal Scientific Reports.

It is known that type 2 diabetes severely impacts the human circulatory system, affecting blood vessels of various calibers throughout the body. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications, which is why such patients regularly undergo retinal photography. Scientists put forward a bold assumption: changes in the blood vessels of the eyes may signal invisible but dangerous disorders in the cardiovascular system.

To test this hypothesis, British specialists conducted a comprehensive examination of 255 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. Participants underwent a series of non-invasive cardiac tests, the results of which were compared with data from standard retinal screening. Analysis of the information obtained confirmed that the presence of diabetic retinopathy is closely associated with so-called "silent" heart and vascular problems.

It is particularly significant that patients with changes in retinal blood vessels were much more likely to show signs of ischemic heart disease and early stages of heart failure – even in the absence of any clinical symptoms. According to researchers, this convincingly proves the systemic nature of vascular damage in diabetes.

Scientists emphasize that their discovery opens new horizons for the use of existing ophthalmological screening programs. Routine vision checks can become an additional tool for identifying increased cardiovascular risk and detecting dangerous changes at an early stage – long before obvious symptoms appear.