Researchers find diabetes medication that may revolutionise heart failure treatment

Early research had shown that Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors could help around half of heart failure patients.

A study conducted by the University of East Anglia has found a diabetes medication that is the first to help people with heart failure and could revolutionise its treatment. The research has been published in the 'European Journal of Preventive Cardiology'.

Early research had shown that Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors could help around half of heart failure patients -- those with a condition known as reduction ejection fraction. But new findings have shown that the medication could be beneficial for all heart failure patients -- including those with the second type of heart failure called the preserved ejection fraction. It is the first drug to provide a real benefit in terms of improving outcomes for these patients. And the research team said that it will revolutionize treatment options.

Lead researcher Prof Vass Vassiliou, from UEA's Norwich Medical School and an Honorary Consultant Cardiologist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said, "Heart failure is a condition where the heart is not pumping as well as it should, and it affects about one million people in the UK. There are two types of heart failure. Heart Failure with a reduction in ejection fraction happens when the heart is unable to pump blood around the body due to a mechanical issue. And heart failure with preserved ejection fraction happens when, despite the heart pumping out blood well, it is not sufficient to provide oxygen to all the parts of the body."