Should I worry about my diabetes leading to Alzheimer's?

Sometimes the patients who are the most conscientious in terms of their health are also the most anxious about their health. And the conscientious often read a lot of medical news—which can definitely be anxiety provoking! An example of this can be seen below in a recent question-and-answer published in the Harvard Heart Letter.  

Q. I'm an 86-year-old man with type 2 diabetes. I get my eyes checked, eat carefully, and test my blood sugar. I exercise in the gym three times a week and still play tennis once a week. Recently, I read new studies that say type 2 diabetes may be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. It scared the heck out of me. What do you think?

A. I think you should relax — mentally — but not physically!

On the one hand, diabetes is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis, the inflammatory process that narrows arteries. Atherosclerosis in the arteries of the brain contributes to memory loss and the risk of stroke. So it makes sense that these kinds of problems are more common in people with diabetes.

On the other hand, you're extraordinarily active for someone who is 86, and it sounds like your history of diabetes hasn't caused problems so far.

The question I would pose is whether you should be on a statin, which would lower your risk for heart attack, stroke — and memory loss. You may well be on one already, but if not, I would bring this up with your doctor. I also recommend aspirin routinely to my diabetic patients, unless they have an increased risk of problems from bleeding.

But other than that, I would stay active, as you are doing. There's plenty of evidence that physical activity is one of the best medicines for keeping you intact both physically and mentally.

— Thomas H. Lee, M.D.
Harvard Health Letter Editorial Board

Do you worry about your diabetes leading to other health problems? Which are you most concerned about?

Julie K. Silver, M.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. She is also the Chief Editor of Books for Harvard Health Publications.

Diabetes

Nearly 21 million Americans suffer from diabetes, and as anyone who has been affected by the disorder knows, it is about much more than a statistic: it means a new way of life. Diabetes: A plan for livingis a special report from Harvard Medical School that will help you learn how to better understand and manage your diabetes, including type 1 and type 2, as well as other variations of the disease. This report will show you that it's not just possible to live with diabetes; it's possible to live well.

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