There appears to be a “Goldilocks Effect” when it comes to blood sugar and heart health. New research finds blood glucose levels that are too low are as bad for the ticker as those that are too high.


Past studies have shown strict control of blood sugar can boost longevity, but when glucose levels fall too low — a condition called hypoglycemia — that can negatively affect the heart.

In a new study, published by the journal Diabetes, researchers examined the effects of hypoglycemia on heart function and found a clear change in the body's responses to cardiovascular stress.

"These findings suggest a specific way as to how the cardiovascular system is compromised during episodes of hypoglycemia," said lead researcher Dr. Ajay D. Rao, assistant professor of medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.

Hypoglycemia occurs most often in diabetics who inject insulin periodically to lower their blood sugar. It also may occur in patients taking pills for diabetes that cause the body to make more insulin.

During the study, healthy volunteers were exposed to experimental hypoglycemia and underwent specialized testing of the cardiovascular system before and after the experiments.

Dr. Rao and his colleagues were able to show that during hypoglycemia, there were serious negative changes in the body's response to changes in blood pressure and heart rate.