A new study, which followed 20,000 Type 2 diabetics, found that those who underwent a weight-loss surgery had a 40 percent lower chance of developing a heart attack or stroke compared to those who received normal diabetic medication.

Over 30 million Americans have diabetes with a majority of those cases being Type 2 so the effects of the study could be wide-reaching.

Dr. David Arterburn, a co-author of the study, believes the results should encourage doctors to mention weight-loss surgery more often in their patient consultations.

Dr. Sayeed Ikramuddin, head of the Department of Surgery, suggests insurance coverage should be expanded for certain patients in an accompanying editorial.