Seoul, South Korea – A groundbreaking new study has revealed that SGLT2 inhibitors, a type of diabetes medication, may significantly improve outcomes for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and diabetes. The research, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, was conducted by a team of researchers at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and Daejeon St. Mary’s Hospital, both affiliated with Catholic University of Korea.

HCM is a heart condition characterized by an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, often caused by genetic mutations. Patients with HCM are at increased risk for serious heart complications, including sudden cardiac death, irregular heart rhythms, and heart failure.

While SGLT2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure and improve survival in patients with heart failure, their potential benefits for HCM patients have been less clear. To address this knowledge gap, the researchers analyzed data from 8,066 Korean patients with both HCM and diabetes.

The study found that patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors had a 44% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to those taking other diabetes medications. Additionally, the risk of sudden cardiac death, stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure was reduced by 50%, 26%, and 18%, respectively. These benefits were consistent across different subgroups of patients, regardless of sex or the presence of atrial fibrillation.

“Our findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may be a promising new treatment option for patients with HCM and diabetes,” said Dr. Mi-Hyang Jeong, the lead author of the study. “However, further research is needed to confirm a causal relationship and to determine whether these benefits extend to patients with HCM who do not have diabetes.”

The researchers noted that while significant progress has been made in understanding the genetic and physiological basis of HCM, there is still much to learn. “This study highlights the potential of repurposing existing medications to treat new conditions,” said Dr. Jeong-Seon Jo, a co-author of the study. “It also underscores the importance of ongoing research to develop more effective treatments for HCM patients.”