Jugular Vein Distention and Diabetes

Jugular vein distention (JVD) occurs when the walls of the jugular vein swell because of a high volume of blood returning to the heart. Although not dangerous in itself, JVD can be a symptom of heart failure. People who have diabetes are at risk for heart failure and should be monitored carefully for JVD. In addition, some drugs prescribed for diabetes might increase the risk of heart failure in patients with underlying heart disease.

Diabetes and Heart Disease

• If you have diabetes, you are at least twice as likely to develop heart disease, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. You also run a greater risk of having heart failure or a stroke at an earlier age than non-diabetics. Your health-care provider should carefully monitor you for symptoms of heart failure, such as a galloping heart rate, "crackling" sounds in the heart and jugular venous distention.

Thiazolidinediones and Heart Failure

• A group of drugs called thiazolidinediones (TZDs) were introduced in the mid-2000s and have been shown to be effective in increasing diabetics' ability to process insulin and reducing blood sugar levels. One side effect of TZDs, however, is fluid retention. If you have heart disease, increased blood volume could increase your risk of JVD and heart failure.

Recommendations

• The American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association agree that when patients start taking TZDs, they should be watched for weight gain and edema (fluid retention). If either of these symptoms develops, health-care providers should test for JVD and other symptoms of congestive heart failure, even if there is no previous history of heart disease.