Results of Diabetes Heart Study

[Guest guest]

Last week I received my results from the Diabetes Heart Study that my

brother and I participated in recently. The ultrasound of my carotid

arteries did not show any blockages. The HCT (Helical Computed

Tomography) study of the heart indicated that my heart calcium is in

the normal range. They said that since the HCT is a new test, they

don't know how accurate it is in measuring the risk of heart disease,

especially in diabetics. Anyway, this is good news for me, since I am

at risk for cardiovascular disease because of diabetes AND RA.

My brother's ultrasound of his carotid arteries indicated that he might

have a blockage of up to 70%. The HCT showed that he may also have a

problem with his coronary arteries. I'm glad that he decided to

participate in the study with me, because it certainly is better to

know about possible problems so that you can do something about them.

Now it seems that we have talked our four siblings into also

participating in the study. After they have two diabetics from a

family, then the other siblings qualify for it. Then when they study

the genetic aspects, they can make comparisons. They are trying to find

diabetes markers in the genes.

I wish they'd do a rheumatoid arthritis study; I'd volunteer for that,

too, as long as I didn't have to stop Enbrel.

Sue