### Understanding Insulin Types and Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes A recent study has shown that people with type 2 diabetes who start taking insulin to manage their blood sugar may have a similarly low risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular problems, regardless of whether they use human insulin or the more expensive analogue insulin. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, followed 127,600 adults for an average of one year after they began insulin therapy. Despite its higher cost, analogue insulin has become more common because it can act more quickly and last longer. One of the risks associated with insulin and other blood sugar-lowering medications is hypoglycemia, which is dangerously low blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia can lead to complications such as irregular heartbeat, blurred vision, seizures, and loss of consciousness. If left untreated, it can be fatal. However, the study found no difference in the risk of dying from all causes or from cardiovascular causes between the two types of insulin. Rates of serious hypoglycemia were also similar. The study suggests that, at least for initial treatment, some people may want to opt for human insulin simply because it may be more affordable. The study followed participants for up to 2.5 years and found that the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure were similar with both types of insulin. However, the study had some limitations. It was not a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how human versus analogue insulin might directly cause or protect against cardiovascular problems. It also did not distinguish between long-acting and short-acting forms of insulin and relied on pharmacy records to determine the impact of insulin on cardiovascular outcomes. Additionally, it did not look at how often patients developed hypoglycemia. In summary, while both types of insulin appear to have similar cardiovascular risks in the short term, human insulin may be a more cost-effective option for initial treatment. However, clinicians should be aware of the increasing risk of hypoglycemia over time and consider switching to analogue insulin if patients experience severe hypoglycemia. ### Related Reading - [Why Is Insulin So Expensive? (and What to Do if You Can’t Afford It)](https://www.example.com) - [How Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Are Connected](https://www.example.com) - [10 Warning Signs of Low Blood Sugar](https://www.example.com)