Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attack. Medical management of diabetes focuses on ways to prevent these cardiovascular risks, since these are the major reasons for hospitalization and death among people with type 2 diabetes. In addition, people with gestational diabetes have a higher future risk of cardiovascular disease, even if they do not develop type 2 diabetes.
The study for this week analyzed data from two large US nurse cohorts to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and cardiovascular disease risk in women with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Controlling for BMI, parity, socioeconomic status, education, smoking history and other potential confounders, the researchers found that women with type 2 diabetes who cumulatively breastfed for over 18 months had a 38% lower risk of coronary heart disease compared to women who did not breastfeed. Similarly, women with a history of gestational diabetes who did not progress to type 2 diabetes and breastfed for over 18 months had a 62% lower coronary heart disease risk.
The findings provide evidence that extended breastfeeding for over 18 months may have protective cardiovascular benefits for women with both type 2 and gestational diabetes, independent of other cardiovascular risk factors.
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