November 23, 2018 – Bariatric Surgery and Heart Disease

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Anchor lead: In people with type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery can help people avoid heart attacks and strokes, Elizabeth Tracey reports

Type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes, as well as other complications like kidney or eye problems. Now a new study shows that for those people with the condition who have bariatric surgery and achieve significant weight loss, benefits in risk reduction are seen. Rita Kalyani, a diabetes expert at Johns Hopkins, explains.

Kalyani: Those patients who have bariatric surgery and have weight loss, those patients had a decreased incidence of developing heart disease and stroke. To have a procedure that can impact their trajectory of those complications is phenomenal. It should be noted that bariatric surgery is not for everyone, that there are long term complications particularly with vitamin deficiencies but for those who benefit from it it’s tremendously exciting.  :28

Kalyani says those with a body mass index over 30 who also have diabetes should talk with their physician if they’re considering bariatric surgery. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.