One-sentence summary:
Abbott’s REFLECT real-world studies reveal that the FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system significantly reduces hospitalizations for cardiovascular complications in people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Three brief takeaways:

  1. Use of Libre CGM reduced cardiovascular-related hospitalizations by up to 80% in people with Type 1 diabetes.
  2. The benefits were observed regardless of prior heart conditions or severe low blood sugar history.
  3. CGM use may lead to improved diabetes management and lower healthcare costs through fewer hospital admissions.

Abbott has announced results from its REFLECT real-world studies that show the use of FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization for heart complications in people with diabetes. For the first time, data show that continuous glucose monitoring technology can help lessen the severity of cardiovascular complications – regardless of a prior history of low blood sugar events or heart disease-related hospitalizations – in individuals with Type 1 diabetes.1 Findings from the studies also show a similar reduction in heart-related hospitalizations for those with Type 2 diabetes on insulin using Libre biowearable technology.2

Diabetes remains a serious chronic disease worldwide, affecting approximately 589 million people3 and often accompanied by cardiovascular complications.4 People with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are 2-4 times more likely than someone without diabetes to develop heart disease, a major cause of death for both groups.5 While heart risks for Type 2 diabetes are well known, there’s low awareness about heart complications in people with Type 1 diabetes. Adults with Type 1 diabetes who have had serious low blood sugar episodes are twice as likely to be hospitalized for heart-related issues.6 

For people with diabetes, the REFLECT findings suggest that the use of Libre technology could also potentially lead to lower healthcare costs due to the reduction in hospital admissions related to heart complications.

“These results are remarkable, as we see dual benefits from CGM technology in managing diabetes and its associated cardiovascular complications,” says one of the lead authors of the studies, David Nathanson, MD, PhD, Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden. “CGMs empower people to proactively manage their diabetes and make informed health choices through real-time, constant feedback on their glucose levels. This data shows that using CGMs is linked with significantly reduced hospitalizations related to heart issues, which can have a significant impact on patients, their families and the healthcare system by easing medical, emotional and financial burdens.”

The findings also reveal that the risk of hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease was reduced by 80% among people with Type 1 diabetes with no prior history of cardiovascular disease when using the Libre biowearable technology compared to those who used a traditional blood glucose monitor. For individuals with a prior history of cardiovascular disease, the risk of hospitalizations was reduced by 49%.1

“These data are transformative and show just how valuable FreeStyle Libre technology is for managing both diabetes and heart health, helping millions of people live healthy lives,” says Mahmood Kazemi, MD, chief medical officer for Abbott’s diabetes care business. “With its heart benefits, Libre makes it easier for people to take control of their health.”

The REFLECT research considered a range of cardiovascular-disease related conditions including non-fatal heart attack, non-fatal stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular death, conditions commonly seen in people with diabetes.7

“I regularly treat people with diabetes who have problems with their blood vessels, resulting in heart attacks, strokes and amputations,” says Ramzi Ajjan, MD, professor of Metabolic Medicine at University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. “These blood vessel problems, known collectively as cardiovascular disease, remain the main causes of ill health and death in people with diabetes. I am very excited to see data that show significant reduction in cardiovascular disease-related hospital admissions. It’s great to see the clear, positive impact of FreeStyle Libre technology on cardiovascular outcomes, making diabetes management more effective and improving the health of our patients.”

Featured Image: Abbott’s Libre technology is first continuous glucose monitor linked to fewer hospitalizations from heart complications in people with diabetes. Image: Abbott

References

1Eeg-Olofsson, K., Diabetologia (2025): https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-025-06438-y
2Nathanson, D., Diabetologia (2024): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-024-06289-z
3International Diabetes Federation – Facts & figures, accessed April 2025 from: https://idf.org/about-diabetes/diabetes-facts-figures/
4CDC – Diabetes and your heart, accessed April 2025 from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-complications/diabetes-and-your-heart.html
5Dal Canto, E., European J. of Preventive Cardiology (2019): https://doi.org/10.1177/2047487319878371
6Amiel, SA, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (2019): https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(18)30315-2
7AHA – Cardiovascular disease and diabetes, accessed May 2025 from: Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes |American Heart Association
8NDR – Nationella Diabetesregistret, accessed April 2025 from: https://ndr.registercentrum.se/in-english/the-swedish-national-diabetes-register/p/BJyILnupj
9Eeg-Olofsson K. Diabetes Care (2024): https: doi.org/10.2337/dc 24-0690
10Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care. Data based on the number of patients assigned to each manufacturer.
11Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care.