August 28, 2007 (Insidermedicine) Myocardial infarction patients are four times more likely to develop diabetes and are at much higher risk of developing impaired fasting glucose than those without a heart attack, according to research published in The Lancet. .The risk of CVD for people with overt diabetes is increased by two to three times for men and three to five times for women compared to people without diabetes. ï Screening for type 2 diabetes in patients with hyperlipidemia and hypertension is recommended regardless of age ï Monitoring for the development of diabetes in those with pre-diabetes should be performed every 1 to 2 years. Close attention should be given to, and appropriate treatment given for, other cardiovascular disease risk factors In the present study, more than 8,000 patients who had myocardial infarction, or MI, within the previous three months and who were free of diabetes were studied for an average of three years. Incidence of new-onset diabetes and impaired fasting glucose, or IFG, was assessed at follow-up. Body mass index and other risk factors, dietary habits, and medication were tracked during follow-up. Researchers found that those with MI were four times more likely to develop diabetes and had a 15-fold higher incidence rate of IFG - 1.8% versus 27.5% - than people without a history of MI. Risk factors included older age, hypertension, use of beta-blockers, lipid-lowering medications which was protective, and diuretics. Other predisposing factors included higher body mass index, smoking, lower exercise tolerance, a diet low in vegetables, fruit, fish, and olive oil, and excess wine consumption. Physicians should provide guidance on diet and other lifestyle factors for their patients who have had an MI . Smoking cessation, prevention of weight gain, and consumption of typical Mediterranean foods might lower this risk of developing diabetes. For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.