Reversing prediabetes may slash heart disease risk for decades, study reveals

Reversing prediabetes could offer decades of protection against serious heart disease, according to a new study. Published in The Lancet, the research suggests that normalising blood glucose levels cuts the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and early death by half. This finding may add a new pillar to cardiovascular prevention strategies worldwide.

The study highlights a simple yet powerful marker for long-term heart health: a fasting glucose level of no more than 97 mg/dL. Achieving this target through lifestyle changes—such as diet and exercise—can slash cardiovascular risks, regardless of a person's age, weight, or ethnicity. Researchers found that even after decades, those who reversed prediabetes maintained lower rates of heart failure hospitalisations and cardiovascular death.

Prediabetes is a widespread but often overlooked condition. While exact global figures are unclear, data shows it varies widely across populations. China and India alone account for roughly 44% of the world's diabetes cases, with the USA, Brazil, and Mexico contributing another 15–20%. The disorder's heterogeneity makes early detection and intervention critical.

Experts now propose that blood sugar normalisation could join three established heart disease prevention measures: controlling blood pressure, lowering LDL cholesterol, and quitting smoking. Unlike complex medical treatments, this approach can be monitored in any primary care setting with a basic blood test.

The findings suggest a clear, actionable way to reduce lifelong cardiovascular risks. For millions with prediabetes, restoring normal blood glucose levels may now stand as one of the most effective defences against heart disease. Primary care providers can implement this strategy immediately, using standard testing methods already in place.