You Can’t Feel It—But It’s There: Hidden Heart Risks in Women with Type 2 Diabetes, Says Study

A new study from researchers in Leicester has revealed that women with type 2 diabetes face a higher risk of hidden heart damage compared to men. This condition, known as coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), affects the smallest blood vessels in the heart and often goes unnoticed because it doesn't cause obvious symptoms.

The research team discovered that nearly half (46%) of women with type 2 diabetes showed signs of CMD, while only about one in four men (26%) were affected. These results came from MRI scans taken during four different studies at the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre.

No Symptoms, But Serious Risk

What's especially worrying is that all the people in the study had no signs of heart disease—they felt fine, with no chest pain or shortness of breath. Yet the scans showed that heart damage had already started, particularly in women.

Lead researcher Professor Gerry McCann said, “These heart changes are happening quietly, and they’re not being caught during regular health checks. Women seem to be more at risk.”

Different Causes in Men and Women

Dr. Gaurav Gulsin, who also worked on the study, said that the main causes of CMD varied by gender. In women, the strongest link was higher body weight (BMI), while in men, it was high blood pressure. This suggests that heart disease may need to be assessed differently in men and women, with more personalized treatments.

Rethinking Prevention Strategies

This study is a major success for the Leicester research team, bringing together experts in heart health, diabetes, and lifestyle to find these hidden risks. Professor Melanie Davies, another co-author, said this kind of teamwork is exactly what their research center was built to do.

She added that the findings could help shape better prevention plans—focusing on weight loss for women and managing blood pressure in men—to stop heart problems before they get worse in people living with type 2 diabetes.