As weight goes up among people with diabetes, so does risk for developing cardiovascular diseases, according to a study presented November 8 at the American Heart Association scientific meeting in New Orleans.

The study involved 5,145 participants and compared body mass index (BMI) against three generally accepted risk factors for cardiovascular disease among people with diabetes: high blood pressure, LDL or bad cholesterol and high blood sugar.

Researcher Alain Bertoni, M.D., of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, said the results showed that the higher the BMI, the worse the control of these risk factors that lead to heart disease.

“Among persons with diabetes, the degree of obesity may be an important barrier to optimal control of cardiovascular disease risk factors,” Bertoni said. “Weight loss programs may be an important component of prevention of cardiovascular disease.”

The study showed that 41 percent of people who were only mildly overweight, with a BMI between 25 and 30, had blood pressure over the target of 130/80, compared to nearly 56 percent of those with a BMI over 40, considered morbidly obese. About 44 percent of those with a BMI between 30 and 35 and about 52 percent of those with a BMI between 35 and 40 had blood pressures above 130/80.

According to new national guidelines, systolic blood pressure in the 130-139 range or diastolic blood pressure in the 80-89 range is considered pre-hypertension, which doubles the risk of developing high blood pressure and requires action, especially in people with diabetes.

Control of blood sugar followed a similar pattern to blood pressure, but an increase in BMI did not appear to affect the levels of LDL cholesterol, according to the study.

Other sources: American Heart Association Scientific Meeting