Hypertension or high blood pressure can lead to heart disease.
Diabetes and Heart Disease
Diabetes is a health condition that goes hand in hand with various high-risk diseases, the predominant of which is heart disease.
Heart disease is very prevalent in our population and is a serious condition—it is considered the leading cause of death in both male and female patients. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than a non-diabetic—and that too at a younger age. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to have heart disease.
But the future is not all that bleak for diabetics, provided their health is well managed at every stage. Proper attention and professional care can significantly lower your risk for heart disease. In fact, you can improve your heart health by tweaking certain lifestyle habits. Those changes will help you manage diabetes better too.
“Heart disease” includes several ailments that afflict your heart, whereas the term “cardiovascular disease” is all-encompassing and includes all types of heart disease, stroke, and blood vessel disease. The most common heart disease is coronary artery disease, which affects blood flow to the heart.
Coronary artery disease is caused by plaque build-up in the walls of the coronary arteries that supply oxygen and blood to the heart. Plaque, made of cholesterol deposits, make the inside of arteries thin and decrease blood flow. This process is called atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries. Decreased blood flow to the heart can lead to a heart attack. And if the blood flow to the brain decreases, it can cause a stroke.
High blood sugar is insidious and slowly causes damage to the blood vessels and nerves surrounding your heart.
People with diabetes most likely have other conditions too that increase heart disease risk:
These conditions can be entire without symptoms, so it is imperative that you seek a proficient doctor’s guidance when you have diabetes. Your doctor can check your blood pressure and arrange for a simple blood test to check your LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels.
Here are some other factors that may contribute to your risk for heart disease:
People with diabetes are also more prone to heart failure. Heart failure is a condition in which your heart can’t pump blood efficiently. This can result in swelling in your legs and fluid build-up in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Heart failure usually gets worse over time, but prompt diagnosis and treatment can help relieve symptoms and stop or delay the condition from deteriorating.
Therefore, it is imperative that you get regular check-ups done by a diabetologist to keep your heart healthy.
The diabetologist will evaluate your blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol levels to understand your overall risk for heart disease. In addition, the doctor may also recommend other tests, which include:
Making the following lifestyle changes can significantly help lower your risk for heart disease, while also helping you manage diabetes:
Ensure that your diet consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Eat fewer processed foods. Drink 8 glasses of water, reduce sugary drinks, and avoid alcohol.
If you’re overweight, losing even a modest amount of weight can considerably slash your triglycerides and blood sugar. Modest weight loss is approx. 5% to 7% of your body weight, which is about 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person.
Staying physically fit makes your body more receptive to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows cells in your body to use blood sugar for energy. Keeping insulin levels stable will help manage your diabetes. In addition, moderate physical activity also helps control blood sugar levels and in turn lowers your risk of heart disease. Try to incorporate moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, for at least 2.5 hours per week.
According to CDC guidelines:
Stress is considered a silent killer that can elevate your blood pressure. It can also cause unconscious behaviors, such as consuming too much alcohol or overeating just for stress relief. Instead, try deep breathing, yoga, or get support from friends and family to control your stress levels.
A diabetologist will give you expert guidance and closely monitor your health, while also helping you incorporate lifestyle measures to prevent heart disease or heart failure. Moreover, your doctor can prescribe medication to help keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides close to your target levels. Diabetologists keep track of the evolving changes in medical technology and integrate them into their patient care to help relieve symptoms. It will greatly benefit you to work closely with a diabetes specialist for timely intervention in case of complications and to circumvent larger health issues such as heart disease.
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