A new study by Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+) has revealed a stark warning for the 1.4 million Dutch citizens living with pre-diabetes: within eight years, approximately one in six of them will suffer a heart attack or stroke.
Reported by De Telegraaf, the findings challenge the long-held belief that pre-diabetes — the preliminary stage of type 2 diabetes — is a harmless condition. Instead, researchers have demonstrated that even in this early phase, elevated blood sugar levels can inflict serious damage on the body’s arteries, increasing the risk of life-threatening cardiovascular events.
A Silent but Dangerous Condition
“People with pre-diabetes often walk around unaware they’re carrying a ticking time bomb,” said Dr. Martijn Brouwers, a diabetes specialist at MUMC+ and co-author of the study. “It’s crucial that we’ve now established the real risks associated with this condition.”
Pre-diabetes is characterized by persistently high blood sugar levels that, over time, can lead to arterial blockages. These blockages restrict blood flow to vital organs such as the heart and brain, laying the groundwork for heart attacks and strokes well before the onset of full-blown diabetes.
A Call for Lifestyle Changes and Government Action
Dr. Brouwers hopes the study will serve as a wake-up call, urging both individuals and policymakers to take preventative action. “We need to encourage people to stop smoking, adopt healthier diets, and engage in regular physical activity,” he emphasized.
But lifestyle changes alone are not enough, Brouwers argued. He called on the Dutch government to introduce policies that make healthy living more accessible. “Subsidies for sports clubs and lowering VAT on healthy foods are practical steps that would help put a healthier lifestyle within everyone’s reach,” he said.
Pre-Diabetes Can Be Reversed — If Caught Early
Diena Halbertsma, director of the Diabetes Fund, expressed shock at the study’s findings but stressed that pre-diabetes does not have to lead to serious health problems. “The earlier you detect it, the more damage you can prevent,” she said.
One of the challenges, Halbertsma noted, is that pre-diabetes often goes undiagnosed because its symptoms — fatigue, increased thirst, and general malaise — are vague and easily overlooked.
To address this, the Diabetes Fund offers an online risk assessment tool to help individuals determine whether they are at increased risk of developing diabetes. “If the test suggests a higher risk, it’s important to consult your GP,” Halbertsma advised. “A simple blood test can confirm whether you have pre-diabetes.”
A National Health Priority
Given the scale of the problem — with hundreds of thousands of Dutch citizens potentially at risk — the study underscores the urgent need for greater public awareness and preventative health measures.
“We have an opportunity to prevent a significant number of heart attacks and strokes,” Dr. Brouwers concluded. “But it requires action now — from individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers alike.”
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