Hypoglycaemia and Cardiac Arrhythmias in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Mechanistic Review

Hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) remains a major clinical burden and, beyond its metabolic complications, can cause serious cardiac arrhythmias. Multiple mechanisms lead to different types of arrhythmias during hypoglycaemia. However, existing studies often involve mixed diabetes populations, small cohorts, or limited monitoring during nocturnal periods, leaving a critical gap in understanding the links between glucose fluctuations and arrhythmic events. This review provides an updated combination of experimental and clinical evidence describing how autonomic dysfunction and ionic imbalances lead to electrophysiological instability and structural remodelling of the myocardium during hypoglycaemia. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) combined with electrocardiographic or wearable rhythm tracking may enable early detection of glycemic and cardiac disturbances and help identify high-risk individuals. Future prospective studies using combined CGM-ECG monitoring, particularly during sleep, are essential to clarify the relationship between hypoglycaemia and arrhythmic events.