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Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. There has been a new study about retinopathy published in the April 22 issue of Journal of the American College of Cardiology. According to the study diabetic retinopathy is a warning sign of heart failure.

1,000 middle-aged people with type 2 diabetes were followed for nine years. It was founded that the people who began the study with retinopathy had more than a 2.5-fold higher risk of developing heart failure than those without retinopathy.

 Dr. Hector O. Ventura, director of the cardiology residency program at the Ochsner Health System in New Orleans, and co-author of an accompanying editorial in the journal said, “They have made the point that patients with diabetic retinopathy need to be more vigilant in looking for the development of heart failure.” It has been believe for some time that there was a physical connection between retinopathy and heart failure, but the studies have not been clear. Ventura said that this new study strengthens such a link.

The doctors on this study hope that the guidelines for treatment of retinopathy will soon include a follow up with a cardiologist.  Doctors have been more concerned about the coronary effects of diabetes. They advise that people with diabetes should talk to there doctors about any concerns they may have.