International Journal of

Molecular Sciences

Review
Effects of Hypoglycemia on Cardiovascular Function in Patients
with Diabetes
Maria A. Christou 1 , Panagiota A. Christou 1 , Christos Kyriakopoulos 2 , Georgios A. Christou 3
and Stelios Tigas 1, *

1 Department of Endocrinology, University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, 45500 Ioannina, Greece;

[email protected] (M.A.C.); [email protected] (P.A.C.)
2 Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, 45500 Ioannina, Greece;
[email protected]
3 Laboratory of Physiology, University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, 45500 Ioannina, Greece;
[email protected]
* Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +30-2651099445

Abstract: Hypoglycemia is common in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (T1D, T2D), treated
with insulin or sulfonylureas, and has multiple short- and long-term clinical implications. Whether
acute or recurrent, hypoglycemia significantly affects the cardiovascular system with the potential
to cause cardiovascular dysfunction. Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed
linking hypoglycemia to increased cardiovascular risk, including hemodynamic changes, myocardial
ischemia, abnormal cardiac repolarization, cardiac arrhythmias, prothrombotic and proinflamma-
tory effects, and induction of oxidative stress. Hypoglycemia-induced changes can promote the
development of endothelial dysfunction, which is an early marker of atherosclerosis. Although
data from clinical trials and real-world studies suggest an association between hypoglycemia and
cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes, it remains uncertain whether this association is causal.
New therapeutic agents for patients with T2D do not cause hypoglycemia and have cardioprotective
benefits, whereas increasing the use of new technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring
devices and insulin pumps, has the potential to reduce hypoglycemia and its adverse cardiovascular
Citation: Christou, M.A.; Christou,
outcomes in patients with T1D.
P.A.; Kyriakopoulos, C.; Christou,
G.A.; Tigas, S. Effects of
Keywords: hypoglycemia; diabetes; cardiovascular; mechanisms; ischaemia; arrhythmias; thrombosis;
Hypoglycemia on Cardiovascular
Function in Patients with Diabetes.
inflammation; oxidative stress
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357.
https://doi.org/10.3390/
ijms24119357
1. Introduction
Academic Editors: Vittoria
Hypoglycemia is a major barrier to maintaining satisfactory glycaemic control in
Cammisotto and Isotta Chimenti
patients with diabetes. Level 1 hypoglycemia is defined as blood glucose concentration
Received: 25 April 2023 <70 mg/dL but ≥54 mg/dL, level 2 hypoglycemia as glucose <54 mg/dL in the presence
Revised: 21 May 2023 of neuroglycopenic symptoms, and level 3 hypoglycemia as a severe event characterized by
Accepted: 25 May 2023 altered mental and/or physical functioning that requires assistance from another person [1].
Published: 27 May 2023 There are several factors that increase hypoglycemia risk in diabetes, such as the use of
insulin or sulfonylureas, impaired renal or hepatic function, diabetes duration, frailty and
old age, cognitive impairment, impaired hypoglycemia awareness, a physical or intellectual
disability that impairs behavioral response to hypoglycemia, alcohol use, polypharmacy,
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.
and history of severe hypoglycemia [2].
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
It is difficult to accurately estimate the true frequency of hypoglycemia in patients with
distributed under the terms and
diabetes due to differences in the definitions used and in the characteristics of the studied
conditions of the Creative Commons
populations. A patient with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experiences around two episodes of symp-
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// tomatic hypoglycemia per week and at least one severe episode per year [3]. It has been
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ reported that the mean incidence (95% confidence interval, CI) of severe hypoglycemia in pa-
4.0/). tients with T1D and disease duration <5 years is 1.1 (0–2.3) episodes per person-year, whereas

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24119357 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 2 of 14

it increases to 3.2 (1.6–4.9) in those with diabetes duration >15 years [4]. Hypoglycemia is
less common in patients with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (T2D), with 3–25% of patients
experiencing at least one severe episode annually [5]. However, the incidence of severe
hypoglycemia in patients with T2D who have been treated with insulin for >5 years increases
and approaches that of patients with T1D [4]. The annual prevalence of severe hypoglycemia
in patients treated with sulfonylureas is 7% [4]. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data
suggest that asymptomatic hypoglycemia is common, with at least one episode reported in
77% and 52% of patients with T1D over a 6-day period at 70 and 54 mg/dL, respectively [6].
Hypoglycemia has multiple clinical implications [5]. It can disrupt everyday activ-
ities and may have psychological consequences in patients with diabetes (e.g., fear of
hypoglycemia, negative effects on mood and emotion), adversely affecting the quality of
life [7,8]. In addition, it may lead to accidents, injuries, cognitive impairment, cerebrovas-
cular events, and even death. Hypoglycemia poses an economic burden to healthcare
resources, especially for the treatment of severe episodes requiring admission to the hospi-
tal [9]. Furthermore, hypoglycemia exerts multiple adverse effects on the cardiovascular
system, with the potential to cause cardiovascular dysfunction in patients with diabetes.
Importantly, cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in T1D or T2D
patients [10,11]. During recent years, data from large-scale clinical trials demonstrated that
strict glycaemic control might reduce long-term cardiovascular complications, whereas, on
the other hand, hypoglycemia can cause cardiovascular dysfunction and promote acute
cardiovascular events [12,13]. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms poten-
tially linking hypoglycemia to increased cardiovascular risk is essential to effectively guide
the prevention and management of related adverse clinical outcomes. In this review, we
aim to describe the cardiovascular effects of hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes.

2. Hormonal Responses to Hypoglycemia and Impaired Hypoglycemia Awareness

in Diabetes
Several physiological responses are activated to counterbalance decreasing glucose
levels and maintain glucose homeostasis. This is important to ensure that a sufficient
amount of glucose is available to all tissues and primarily to the brain, which depends on
glucose as its main source of energy [14–16]. The first defense step against hypoglycemia
in healthy subjects is the inhibition of insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells when blood
glucose concentration falls below 80–85 mg/dL (Table 1). The reduction of insulin blood
levels results in increased endogenous glucose production, which under normal circum-
stances is supplemented by oral carbohydrate intake. If blood glucose levels fall below
65–70 mg/dL, secretion of the counterregulatory hormones is activated; thus, glucagon
secretion from the pancreatic α-cells is the second defense step leading to an increase in hep-
atic glucose production via stimulation of glycogenolysis. The third defense step consists
of the sympathoadrenal response via activation of specific hypothalamic autonomic centers
within the brain. This leads to the secretion of epinephrine and is associated with the
development of autonomic symptoms (Table 1). Epinephrine acts by several mechanisms,
including stimulation of glycogenolysis, an increase of hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis
via mobilization of gluconeogenic substrates, such as lactate and amino acids, and reduc-
ing insulin secretion. In addition to the above, sufficient cortisol and growth hormone
levels are also required as part of the normal counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia.
Neuroglycopenic symptoms due to brain glucose deprivation become evident when the
glucose falls below 50 mg/dL, whereas severe and prolonged hypoglycemia may result in
serious consequences, such as coma, brain damage or even death. Importantly, the glucose
thresholds depicted in Table 1 have been observed under experimental conditions in non-
diabetic subjects [16]. However, the glucose counter-regulation against hypoglycemia and
the onset of symptoms is compromised in patients with diabetes with the above glycaemic
thresholds shifting to lower levels in response to changes in glycaemic control and exposure
to extremes of blood glucose [17]. In patients with T1D or longstanding T2D, apart from
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 3 of 14

the pancreatic β-cell failure, there is commonly defective glucagon secretion, as well as an
impaired sympathoadrenal response during hypoglycemia [16].

Table 1. Glucose thresholds for hormonal counter-regulation and clinical features of hypoglycemia.

Blood Glucose Thresholds * Hormone Responses

<80–85 mg/dL ↓ Insulin
<65–70 mg/dL ↑ Glucagon
<65–70 mg/dL ↑ Epinephrine
<65–70 mg/dL ↑ Cortisol and growth hormone
Symptoms and signs (usually when glucose <50–58 mg/dL)
Autonomic:
Adrenergic: tremors, palpitations/tachycardia, pallor, anxiety, and arousal.
Cholinergic: sweating, hunger, salivation, nausea, and paraesthesias.
Neuroglycopenic:
Weakness, fatigue, confusion, behavioral changes, emotional lability, slurred speech, blurred
vision, headache, dizziness, seizures, incoordination, focal neurological deficits (diplopia,
hemiparesis), and loss of consciousness. If hypoglycemia is severe and prolonged, brain damage
and even death may occur.
* Glycaemic thresholds for activation of hormonal counter-regulation and awareness of hypoglycemia may
be lower in some people with T1D, especially in those with frequent hypoglycemia, long disease duration or
autonomic neuropathy. Please note that glucose values refer to arterialized venous glucose concentration. Notes:
↑: increase; ↓: decrease.

Impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) is common in insulin-treated patients with

diabetes and correlates with the duration of insulin treatment [16]. IAH is characterized by a
diminished ability to perceive the onset of acute hypoglycemia, including altered symptom
profile, reduced intensity and a number of symptoms, and in some cases, failure to interpret
symptoms. It does not necessarily develop into complete unawareness of hypoglycemia and
may vary in severity over time, probably due to environmental influences. Patients with IAH
do not experience the autonomic warning symptoms and are at risk for neuroglycopenia
and severe hypoglycemia. Possible mechanisms for IAH include the following: (i) central
nervous system adaptation due to chronic exposure or recurrent transient exposure to low
blood glucose, (ii) central nervous system glucoregulatory failure due to counterregulatory
deficiency or hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF), and (iii) peripheral
nervous system dysfunction due to peripheral autonomic neuropathy or reduced peripheral
adrenoreceptor sensitivity. The term HAAF has been proposed to describe an autonomic
disorder characterized by defective glucose counter-regulation evidenced by attenuated
glucagon and epinephrine responses and absent or impaired awareness of neuroglycopenic
symptoms due to attenuated sympathoadrenal responses to hypoglycemia (Figure 1) [17,18].
Potential stimuli of HAAF include recent antecedent hypoglycemia, thus creating a vicious
cycle of recurrent hypoglycemia, prior exercise or sleep. Importantly, HAAF is a reversible
disorder pathophysiologically distinct from classic diabetic
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 15
autonomic neuropathy, which is
a structural disorder characterized by nerve fiber loss.

Figure 1. The vicious cycle of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in T1D.

Figure 1. The vicious cycle of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in T1D.
3. Pathophysiologic Mechanisms Linking Hypoglycemia to Increased Cardiovascular
Risk
Several mechanisms are implicated in the development of cardiovascular
dysfunction related to hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes. These include
hemodynamic changes, myocardial ischemia, abnormal cardiac repolarization, cardiac
arrhythmias, thrombotic tendency, oxidative stress, and inflammation (Figure 2). Relevant
evidence is derived from in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as from experimentally
 Figure 1. The vicious cycle of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in T1D.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 4 of 14
3. Pathophysiologic Mechanisms Linking Hypoglycemia to Increased Cardiovascular
Risk
3. Pathophysiologic
Several mechanismsMechanisms Linking in
are implicated Hypoglycemia
the developmentto Increased Cardiovascular
of cardiovascular Risk
dysfunc-
tion related to hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes. These include hemodynamic
Several mechanisms are implicated in the development of cardiovascular dysfunction
changes,
related tomyocardial
hypoglycemia ischemia, abnormal
in patients cardiac These
with diabetes. repolarization, cardiac arrhythmias,
include hemodynamic changes,
thrombotic
myocardialtendency,
ischemia,oxidative
abnormalstress, and
cardiac inflammationcardiac
repolarization, (Figurearrhythmias,
2). Relevant evidence
thromboticis
derived
tendency,from in vitro
oxidative and in
stress, vivo
and studies, as (Figure
inflammation well as 2).
from experimentally
Relevant evidence induced
is derivedhypo-
from
glycemia studies
in vitro and in humans.
in vivo studies, as well as from experimentally induced hypoglycemia studies
in humans.

Figure
Figure 2. Potential
Potentialpathophysiological
pathophysiologicalmechanisms
mechanisms linking
linking hypoglycemia
hypoglycemia to cardiovascular
to cardiovascular out-
outcomes.
comes. Abbreviations:
Abbreviations: aPTT: activated
aPTT: activated partial partial thromboplastin
thromboplastin time; CD40:
time; CD40: a cluster
a cluster of differentia-
of differentiation 40;
tion 40; CRP: C-reactive protein; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; EF: ejection fraction; HR: heart
CRP: C-reactive protein; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; EF: ejection fraction; HR: heart rate; ICAM: rate;
ICAM: intercellular adhesion molecule; IL: interleukin; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SBP: systolic
intercellular adhesion molecule; IL: interleukin; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SBP: systolic blood
blood pressure; sCD40L: a soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand; TNFα: tumor necrosis fac-
pressure; sCD40L: a soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand; TNFα: tumor necrosis factor-alpha;
tor-alpha; VCAM: vascular cell adhesion molecule; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor;
VCAM: vascular cell adhesion molecule; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor; vWF: von
vWF: von Willebrand factor.
Willebrand factor.

3.1. Haemodynamic Changes and Myocardial Ischemia

Hypoglycemia activates the sympathoadrenal system causing the secretion of cate-
cholamines that exert significant hemodynamic effects. Specifically, sympathetic system
activation leads to increased heart rate, systolic blood pressure, cardiac output and ejection
fraction, and decreased diastolic blood pressure [19,20]. Importantly, in patients with
long-standing diabetes, the elasticity of large blood vessels and central arterial pressure
decrease [21]. Progressive development of arterial stiffness leads the reflected arterial
pressure wave to return earlier to the central aorta and the heart during late systole (instead
of early diastole), compromising in this way coronary arterial filling and predisposing to
myocardial ischemia [22].

3.2. Abnormal Cardiac Repolarization and Cardiac Arrhythmias

Experimental studies in rats suggest a central role for catecholamines and the sym-
pathetic nervous system in the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias during severe hypo-
glycemia. Specifically, severe lethal hypoglycemia can initially cause sinus tachycardia and
QT prolongation, followed by premature atrial and ventricular contractions, first-degree
atrioventricular block and ventricular tachycardia, evolving to second-degree and third-
degree atrioventricular block and finally bradycardia and cardiorespiratory arrest [23].
Hypoglycemia-induced mortality in this rat model was worsened by diabetes, but re-
current hypoglycemia, potassium supplementation and β-adrenergic blockade tended to
reduce sympathoadrenal activity and mortality. In another study, insulin deficiency in
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was associated with twice the risk of third-degree
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 5 of 14

atrioventricular block and death during severe hypoglycemia compared with nondiabetic
rats [24]. However, exposure to recurrent hypoglycemia reduced the occurrence of third-
degree atrioventricular block and mortality, implying reduced sympathoadrenal response
to hypoglycemia.
In humans, hypoglycemia can affect cardiac repolarization and electrophysiology,
producing electrocardiographic changes that include ST segment depression, a decrease
in height and width of the T wave, and QT interval prolongation [25–27]. It has been
suggested that a rapid decrease in blood glucose may affect the time of onset of QT interval
prolongation [28]. During prolonged periods of hypoglycemia (plasma glucose < 54 mg/dL
for 80 min), progressive prolongation of the QT interval has been observed [29]. Importantly,
QT prolongation increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias [30] and is a strong predictor
of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with diabetes [31,32]. Additionally,
heart rate variability response to hypoglycemia is impaired in people with T2D, result-
ing in a higher-than-expected risk for sudden arrhythmia following mild hypoglycemic
episodes [33]. Sympathoadrenal activation and catecholamine-induced hypokalemia seem
to be responsible for the above arrhythmogenic changes [34]. However, frequent or recent
exposure to hypoglycemia, as well as the development of cardiac autonomic neuropathy,
blunts the sympathoadrenal response during hypoglycaemic episodes [18,35]. It has been
hypothesized that subjects with polymorphisms of the ion channels genes which con-
tribute to the cardiac conduction system might be vulnerable to the arrhythmogenic effects
of hypoglycemia [36]. However, in susceptible patients who are at high cardiovascular
risk, more than one mechanism might contribute to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias
during hypoglycemia. Several types of cardiac arrhythmias have been associated with
hypoglycemia, ranging from severe sinus bradycardia and atrial fibrillation to multiple
ventricular ectopics and ventricular tachycardia [34].
The observed differences in the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias between daytime
and nocturnal hypoglycemia might be associated with insufficient counter-regulation in
response to hypoglycemia during sleep [37,38]. This can result in a prolonged duration of
nocturnal hypoglycemia, as well as attenuation of the sympathoadrenal activation and cat-
echolamine secretion. Attenuated sympathoadrenal activity at night leads to compensatory
activation of the parasympathetic system, thus increasing the frequency of bradycardia and
the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Hypoglycemia during the day can also increase the risk
of arrhythmias, but these are less likely to be life-threatening [5].

3.3. Prothrombotic Effects

Hypoglycemia induces a procoagulant and prothrombotic state, including promoted
platelet aggregation and activation [39]. The mechanisms underlying both processes appear
to be adrenaline-mediated and inhibited by alpha-2 adrenergic blockade [22]. Platelet factor
4 and plasma β thromboglobulin increase by hypoglycemia and are thought to represent the
activation of platelets in vivo [22]. Accelerated rates of thrombin generation and formation
of denser fibrin clots, displaying lower liability, have also been documented in patients
with diabetes in response to low blood glucose [40]. Additionally, the fibrinolytic system is
activated, as evidenced by the increase in tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and decrease
in plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity [41]. Euglobulin lysis time (an indicator of
plasminogen activator activity) is decreased, and fibrin plate lysis increases, also indicating
increased fibrinolysis.
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is reduced, fibrinogen and factor VIII
increase and platelet count is reduced following hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes [42].
Hypoglycemia induces the release of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) from endothelial cells
and platelets, and vWF, in turn, promotes platelet aggregation and prolongs the lifetime
of factor VIII [41]. Hypoglycemia has acute and persistent prothrombotic effects that
persist for at least seven days and are enhanced in patients with diabetes [43]. Interestingly,
hypoglycemia can influence the expression of platelet-related miRNAs in patients with
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 6 of 14

T2D, with a time trend paralleling the time course of platelet activation [44], suggesting
that miRNAs are probably released by platelets upon activation by hypoglycemia.

3.4. Proinflammatory Effects

Hypoglycemia can induce an inflammatory response, including mobilization of leuko-
cytes, an increase in cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40) expression on mononuclear cells,
plasma soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels and platelet-monocyte aggregation. It can also
increase the levels of different adhesion markers, such as intercellular adhesion molecule
(ICAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), P-selectin, E-selectin, as well as tu-
mor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 1β (IL1β), IL6, IL8, and vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF) levels [45–47]. Hypoglycemia increases leukocyte numbers in healthy
subjects and patients with T1D and normal hypoglycemia awareness but not in those with
IAH [48]. Ex vivo, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocytes display a more
robust cytokine response to microbial stimulation after hypoglycemia compared with
euglycemia. This response is less pronounced in patients with T1D and IAH, indicating
impaired counterregulatory hormone responses in these patients [48].
In response to hypoglycemia, the numbers of lymphocytes and monocytes, as well as
blood levels of C-reactive protein and other inflammatory proteins, significantly increase
and may remain elevated for seven days in patients with T2D [49]. It has been shown that a
longer duration of hypoglycemia results in a greater increase in proinflammatory markers
even if glucose levels are higher [46,47]. Importantly, overtreatment of hypoglycemia often
results in rebound hyperglycemia. This glucose variability might induce an additional
inflammatory stimulus such that rebound hyperglycemia might have a greater effect in
impairing endothelial function and activating thrombosis than hypoglycemia alone [50].
On the other hand, recovery of hypoglycemia with normoglycaemia is accompanied by
improvement in endothelial dysfunction and inflammation [51]. However, reactive hyper-
glycemia, following recovery from hypoglycemia, results in the deterioration of all these
parameters.
Hypoglycemia can impair the release of vasoactive substances. The endothelium is
responsible for the release of several substances, the most important being nitric oxide
and endothelin-1 [52]. Following hypoglycemia in patients with T1D, the plasma levels
of endothelin-1, the most potent vasoconstrictor, increase by 70% [53]. Impaired nitric
oxide-mediated vasodilation is evident during hypoglycemia [47].

3.5. Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress plays an important role in tissue damage caused by hypoglycemia.
Several studies have shown an association between hypoglycemia and reactive oxygen
species (ROS) production. In vitro studies in human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed
that glucose deprivation stimulates mitochondrial ROS generation [54]. Insulin-induced
recurrent hypoglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats leads to an increase in
malondialdehyde levels and a reduction in aconitase activity, which are indicators of
oxidative stress in brain mitochondria [55]. Another study investigated the effects of
hypoglycemia on the mitochondrial antioxidant system and the fragmentation of nuclear
DNA in different brain regions in rats [56]. Following hypoglycemia, a decrease in the
activity of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes was observed that might be attributed
to ROS generation, which in turn activates DNA damage. In healthy subjects, insulin-
induced hypoglycemia is associated with an increase in lipid peroxidation markers and
ROS production [45]. Exposure of insulin-treated streptozotocin-diabetic rats to recurrent
hypoglycemia leads to metabolomic alterations in the hippocampus, as well as increased
cerebral ischemic damage potentially via enhanced mitochondrial dysfunction [57,58].

3.6. Alterations of Brain Glucose Metabolism

Glucose is a critical energy substrate required for brain functioning. Various func-
tional and metabolic neuroimaging techniques have been employed and have shown that
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 7 of 14

hypoglycemia modulates multiple metabolic pathways in the brain [59]. Moderate hypo-
glycemia does not affect glucose uptake into the brain, and cerebral glucose metabolism
is preserved, at least globally. However, at the regional level, moderate hypoglycemia
causes a redistribution of cerebral blood flow to brain areas involved in the detection of
hypoglycemia, particularly the hypothalamus. Recurrent hypoglycemia induces cerebral
adaptive changes in glucose counterregulatory mechanisms at many different levels, in-
cluding activation or deactivation of brain areas involved in behavioral responses, change
in regional blood flow, as well as consumption of sources of energy other than glucose,
particularly lactate. There is conflicting evidence as to whether recurrent hypoglycemia can
stimulate brain glucose uptake, with most neuroimaging studies finding no evidence.
Overall, the hypoglycemia-induced changes in blood coagulability, inflammatory
response, cell adhesion, release of vasoactive substances, and oxidative stress promote
the development of endothelial dysfunction, which is an early marker for atherosclero-
sis [60,61]. Furthermore, hypoglycemia activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
and increases aldosterone, which activates the mineralocorticoid receptor, further exacerbat-
ing endothelial dysfunction [62]. Promotion of atherogenesis due to exposure to recurrent
episodes of severe hypoglycemia has been suggested as a potential mechanism in patients
with T1D and IAH, in whom flow-mediated brachial dilatation was lower and femoral
intima–media thickness was higher compared to patients with T1D without a history of
severe hypoglycemia [63].

4. Data from Clinical Trials and Real-World Studies

In addition to the evidence from experimental studies, several clinical trials and real-
world studies suggest an association between hypoglycemia and cardiovascular events in
patients with diabetes.

4.1. Clinical Trials Exploring the Effects of Intensive Glucose-Lowering Therapy

Several large-scale clinical trials examined the effects of intensive versus conventional
glucose-lowering therapy on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes (Table 2).
The DCCT/EDIC study demonstrated the benefits of intensified insulin treatment and
strict glycaemic control in T1D patients with a disease duration of 1–15 years, with re-
gards to limiting the risk of vascular complications after a follow-up period of more than
12 years [64,65]. However, these benefits were associated with a threefold higher rate of se-
vere hypoglycemia. Although the UKPDS study in newly diagnosed adults with T2D found
no significant reduction in cardiovascular complications, a 10-year follow-up study showed
a modest but statistically significant reduction of cardiovascular risk [66,67]. Higher rates
of severe hypoglycemia were observed with intensive treatment. The ACCORD study, in
T2D patients with established cardiovascular disease or multiple relevant risk factors, was
interrupted early due to increased overall and cardiovascular mortality in the intensive
treatment arm [68]. Although this study demonstrated increased hypoglycemia risk in the
intensive treatment group, further analysis concluded that hypoglycemia did not appear
to account for the difference in mortality between the two groups [69,70]. The ADVANCE
study, in patients with T2D and vascular complications or at least one cardiovascular risk
factor, did not reveal a reduction in cardiovascular risk with intensive glucose-lowering
therapy after the 6-year post-trial follow-up [71,72]. However, severe hypoglycemia was
more common in the intensive treatment group. Similarly, the VADT study in military
veterans with poorly controlled T2D showed an increased hypoglycemia rate with intensive
therapy but again without cardiovascular benefit [73]. The ORIGIN study in patients with
cardiovascular risk factors plus impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or
T2D also showed that intensive glucose-lowering therapy was associated with increased
severe hypoglycemia risk, but the effect on cardiovascular outcomes was the same with the
conventional therapy [74].
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 8 of 14

Table 2. Large-scale clinical trials exploring the effects of intensive versus conventional glucose-
lowering therapy.

CV Outcomes with Hypoglycemia Risk with

Study Patients
Intensive Therapy Intensive Therapy
DCCT/EDIC ↓ CVD only evident in the follow-up
T1D adolescents and adults ↑ severe hypoglycemia
[64,65] trial after >12-yr.
↓ CVD only evident in the follow-up
UKPDS [66,67] Newly diagnosed T2D adults ↑ severe hypoglycemia
trial after >10-yr.
T2D adults with CVD or CV risk Early interrupted due to ↑ overall and
ACCORD [68] ↑ severe hypoglycemia
factors CV mortality
T2D adults with vascular
ADVANCE [71] No CV benefit ↑ severe hypoglycemia
complications or CV risk factors
VADT [73] T2D adults poorly controlled No CV benefit ↑ hypoglycemia
Adults with CV risk factors plus
ORIGIN [74] No CV benefit ↑ severe hypoglycemia
prediabetes or T2D
Abbreviations: CV: cardiovascular; CVD: cardiovascular disease; T1D: type 1 diabetes; T2D: type 2 diabetes.
Notes: ↑: increase; ↓: decrease.

4.2. Studies with Concomitant CGM and ECG Monitoring

Several studies have been performed in patients with T1D and T2D using concomi-
tantly CGM and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring in an ambulatory setting. In patients
with insulin-treated T2D and established cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk
factors undergoing 5 days of concomitant CGM and ECG monitoring, the incidence of
bradycardia was eightfold higher, and the incidence of atrial and ventricular ectopic beats
was fourfold higher during nocturnal hypoglycemia compared with nocturnal normogly-
caemia [38]. During the day, a small but significant increase in ventricular premature beats
was observed, whereas no episodes of bradycardia were detected. Simultaneous CGM
and ECG monitoring for 4 days in T1D patients revealed that asymptomatic hypoglycemia
was common (76% of nocturnal and 39% of daytime hypoglycemia) and that differences
existed in cardiac arrhythmias during day and night [75]. Specifically, bradycardia was
more frequent during nocturnal hypoglycemia compared with nocturnal normoglycaemia.
Bradycardia was less frequent, and atrial ectopics were more frequent during daytime
hypoglycemia compared with nighttime hypoglycemia. In another study, ventricular
arrhythmias were observed in association with asymptomatic hypoglycemia during si-
multaneous CGM and ECG recording for 5 days in patients with T2D and documented
cardiovascular disease treated with insulin and/or sulfonylureas, particularly during the
night [76]. Furthermore, concomitant CGM and ECG monitoring for 3 days in insulin-
treated T2D patients with coronary heart disease showed that chest pain was accompanied
by ischemic changes in the ECG of some of the patients during hypoglycemia [77].

4.3. ‘Dead in Bed’ Syndrome

An association has been suggested between hypoglycemia and the unexpected noc-
turnal death of patients with T1D without cardiovascular disease, described as ‘dead in
bed’ syndrome. A retrospective analysis of 50 sudden overnight deaths in patients with
T1D was carried out, and in 22 cases, no cause was found [78]. All patients were young
(12–43 years) with a history of nocturnal hypoglycemia. The ‘dead in bed’ syndrome is
thought to be caused by a hypoglycemia-induced fatal arrhythmia during sleep. Since
then, it has been reported in a series of studies, with one of them calculating a tenfold
increase in sudden death in young patients with T1D compared with the nondiabetic
population [79]. Importantly, although the ‘dead in bed’ syndrome has been described
in T1D, hypoglycemia-induced fatal arrhythmias are also likely to occur in patients with
insulin-treated T2D.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 9 of 14

4.4. Studies on Cerebral Ischemia and Stroke

Hypoglycemia can cause localized cerebral neuroglycopenia and transient focal neu-
rological deficits, usually resolving after correction of the low glucose levels. Case-report
neuroimaging studies have shown areas consistent with ischemia in the case of a neuro-
logical deficit following severe hypoglycemia [80,81]. The data linking hypoglycemia with
stroke risk are limited. A report from the ORIGIN trial showed that severe hypoglycemia
was associated with increased risk of the composite outcome of non-fatal myocardial in-
farction, stroke or cardiovascular death; hazard ratio 1.58, 95% CI 1.24–2.02 [82]. In another
study, patients with ischemic stroke received intensive insulin therapy or subcutaneous
insulin for 24 h [83]. It was found that in the intensive insulin therapy group, glucose
values <126 mg/dL were more frequent (95.4% versus 67.4%, p-value < 0.0001) and infarct
growth was greater (27.9 cm versus 10.8 cm, p-value = 0.04). However, after 3 months,
functional outcomes, serious adverse events and death rates were similar between the
two groups. Within 24 h of ischemic stroke, glucose potassium insulin (GKI) infusion
compared to saline infusion was associated with a higher incidence of asymptomatic hy-
poglycemia [84]. In a secondary analysis, GKI was associated with greater infarct growth
in patients with complete intracranial vessel occlusion. Additionally, in patients with
subarachnoid hemorrhage, glucose <80 mg/dL was associated with vasospasm, cerebral
infarction, and functional disability at 3 months [85]. Another study found no association
between severe hypoglycemia and the risk of stroke [86].

4.5. Studies on Peripheral Artery Disease

Limited data are available with regard to the impact of hypoglycemia on peripheral
artery disease (PAD). Among 6713 patients with T2D admitted to the hospital, 80 had severe
hypoglycemia in the preceding three months, and 304 had symptomatic hypoglycemia in
the last month [87]. It was demonstrated that both symptomatic and severe hypoglycemia
was associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease, defined as coronary heart
disease, stroke or PAD; the odds ratio, 95% CI, were 2.64, 1.85–3.76 and 6.59, 3.79–11.45,
respectively. Additionally, analysis of the prospective DiaRegis registry showed that
PAD prevalence was higher in patients with T2D who had experienced hypoglycemia
during the 12-year follow-up compared to those without hypoglycemia; 8.6% versus 5.7%,
p-value < 0.05 [88]. Importantly, hypoglycemia is an independent predictor of amputations
in patients hospitalized for acute diabetic foot [89].

4.6. Meta-Research Data

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to explore the association
between hypoglycemia and increased cardiac arrhythmia risk in adults with T1D or T2D,
comparing ECG changes during episodes of hypoglycemia and normoglycaemia [90–92].
Hypoglycemia was associated with a reduction in most components of heart rate variability
and an increase in the prevalence of arrhythmias (bradycardia, ventricular premature
beats, atrial premature beats, atrial ectopic beats). The meta-analysis of 15 studies showed
that the QT interval was more significantly prolonged during hypoglycemia compared to
normoglycaemia. Another meta-analysis assessed the association between hypoglycemia
and vascular events in older subjects (mean age >60 years) who had pre-diabetes or dia-
betes [90]. The meta-analysis of 8 studies demonstrated that hypoglycemia was associated
with macrovascular complications (odds ratio, OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.64–2.05) and increased
likelihood of overall mortality (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.68–2.47). Another systematic review and
meta-analysis that included ten studies found that severe hypoglycemia was associated
with increased cardiovascular risk (relative risk 1.91, 95% CI 1.69–2.15) [91]. Additionally, a
meta-analysis of the ACCORD, ADVANCE, UKPDS and VADT trials showed that patients
receiving intensive glucose control treatment had significantly more major hypoglycaemic
events (hazard ratio 2.48, 95% CI 1.91–3.21), but there was no significant effect on the risk
of stroke [93].
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 10 of 14

5. Conclusions
There is extensive evidence suggesting that hypoglycemia is associated with significant
cardiovascular effects in patients with diabetes. Based on data from experimental studies,
a number of pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed, linking hypoglycemia
to increased cardiovascular risk. These mechanisms include hemodynamic changes, my-
ocardial ischemia, abnormal cardiac repolarization, cardiac arrhythmias, procoagulant and
prothrombotic effects, proinflammatory effects, and induction of oxidative stress, promot-
ing the development of endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. Data from large-scale
clinical trials and real-world studies, as well as meta-research evidence, confirm the pro-
posed association between hypoglycemia and adverse cardiovascular events in patients
with diabetes. Limited data are available with regard to the impact of hypoglycemia on
stroke risk and peripheral artery disease.
Whether the association between hypoglycemia and increased cardiovascular risk
is causal or due to confounding factors remains uncertain. Hypoglycemia can probably
trigger cardiovascular events in vulnerable patients who are at high cardiovascular risk
and may also interact with other risk factors. It is difficult to confirm causality due to the
observational nature of many studies and the inability to capture all hypoglycemic episodes,
which may be mild or asymptomatic. New drugs, such as sodium-glucose co-transporter
inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists that do not cause hypoglycemia
and are associated with cardiovascular benefits, are available for the management of T2D.
The use of new technologies, including CGM devices and insulin pumps, is beneficial in
reducing hypoglycemia in T1D. It is also important for clinicians to recognize patients
at high risk of hypoglycemia, IAH and those at increased cardiovascular risk during
hypoglycemia. In any case, appropriate and individualized glycemic goals and continuous
education of patients with diabetes on dietary modification, exercise management, glucose
monitoring and medication adjustment are needed to effectively prevent, recognize and
treat hypoglycemia.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, M.A.C. and S.T.; methodology, M.A.C.; software, M.A.C.
and C.K.; validation, M.A.C., G.A.C. and S.T.; formal analysis, M.A.C.; investigation, M.A.C., P.A.C.
and G.A.C.; resources, M.A.C. and P.A.C.; data curation, M.A.C. and S.T.; writing—original draft
preparation, M.A.C., P.A.C. and C.K.; and writing—review and editing, S.T.; visualization, C.K.;
supervision, S.T.; project administration, M.A.C. and S.T. All authors have read and agreed to the
published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this
published article. Anonymized data will be shared by request from any qualified investigator.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Abbreviations
aPTT: activated partial thromboplastin time; CD40: cluster of differentiation 40; CGM: continuous
glucose monitoring; CI: confidence interval; CRP: C-reactive protein; CV: cardiovascular; CVD: car-
diovascular disease; DBP: diastolic blood pressure; ECG: electrocardiogram; EF: ejection fraction; GKI:
glucose potassium insulin; HAAF: hypoglycemia associated autonomic failure; HR: heart rate; IAH:
impaired awareness of hypoglycemia; ICAM: intercellular adhesion molecule; IL: interleukin; OR: odds
ratio; PAD: peripheral artery disease; PAI: plasminogen activator inhibitor; ROS: reactive oxygen species;
SBP: systolic blood pressure; sCD40L: soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand; T1D: type 1 diabetes;
T2D: type 2 diabetes; TNFα: tumor necrosis factor-alpha; tPA: tissue plasminogen activator; VCAM:
vascular cell adhesion molecule; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor; vWF: von Willebrand factor.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 9357 11 of 14

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