It is important to know about the link between diabetes and heart disease. And, this is the initial step toward the prevention of diabetes. Any diabetic patient must be wondering what their blood sugar level must be. The normal fasting blood sugar level ranges between 70 to 99 mg/dL. And, sugar level after meal must be below 140 mg/dL. Higher ranges might denote pre-diabetes or diabetes. Also, diabetes accompanies a higher risk of cardiovascular problems as per the AHA. For type 2 diabetic patients, heart disorder is the most common reason for mortality. Several things are important to reduce a person’s risk of heart problems.
Symptoms of Heart Diseases
Signs of heart disease might differ depending upon its severity. Few individuals may get no signs at all. However, there can be a few signs as well including:
- Breathing problems
- Pressure, stiffness, or pain in the chest area
- Weakness
- Feeling drowsy
Can Diabetes Result in Heart Disease?
The high blood glucose levels in the blood of diabetics may ultimately damage nerves and blood vessels that control them. Classically, body tissues make use of sugar as an energy source. Its storage occurs in the liver in the form of glycogen.
A clogged coronary artery might prevent or slow blood from delivering nutrients and oxygen to the heart. The risk of cardiovascular problems amplifies to a large extent when a person has diabetes.
A proper blood sugar check is crucial here for good diabetes management. Every diabetic must keep a track of their glucose levels using a self-monitoring device as per the doctor’s guidelines.
Summary
When a person is diabetic, glucose stays in his or her blood and comes out of the liver into the blood. In addition, this causes damage to the nerves and blood vessels controlling them.
Factors that increase the risk of heart problems in diabetics
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension is one of the common risk factors for heart disorders among diabetics. It puts pressure on a person’s heart and harms the blood vessels. This makes a person more prone to complications such as:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Kidney diseases
- Vision problems
The easiest approach to managing high blood pressure is to:
- Practice a balanced diet
- Regular physical activity
- Consuming medicines as per the doctor’s recommendation.
High Cholesterol
Poor management of cholesterol and triglyceride levels is most common among diabetics. Moreover, this may cause heart disease due to diabetes.
An excess of LDL (bad) cholesterol and not adequate HDL (good) cholesterol may result in an accumulation of fatty deposits in the blood vessels. This may give rise to blockages and cause a heart attack or stroke.
Obesity
Diabetic patients are more prone to develop obesity or overweight. Both these conditions are risk factors for developing cardiovascular problems. Obesity has a powerful impact on blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Weight loss may decrease the risk of cardiac diseases. One of the most successful approaches for weight management is speaking to a dietitian. The nutritionist or dietician would craft a healthy eating plan for the person. Furthermore, regular physical activity is important for weight loss.
Inactive Lifestyle
An inactive lifestyle is a major risk factor for heart problems, obesity, and hypertension. The CDC suggests that every adult must practice 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise every 7 days.
Examples can be dancing, walking, or cycling. Also, the CDC suggests strength-training exercises two times a week for them.
Smoking
If a person is diabetic and a smoker, then the risk of heart problems is much greater than that of non-smokers. Both diabetes and cigarette cause the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. And, this leads to their narrowing.
This may cause a range of complications like heart attack, stroke, foot problems, etc. In serious instances, foot issues may even cause amputation.
Diet
For preventing cardiovascular problems if a person is diabetic, try practicing a heart-healthy diet. This is indeed important to lower the overall cholesterol and blood pressure. Some heart-healthy foods can be:
- Green leafy veggies such as spinach and kale
- Nuts such as almonds, pecans
- Cold-water fish like sardines, salmon
- Oats and whole grains
Try to put a restriction on the consumption of:
- Sugar
- Sodium
- Saturated fats
- Trans fat
It is a must to choose low-fat alternatives available in grocery stores.
Prevention
There are some approaches for preventing heart problems if a person has diabetes. To do this, it is suggested to manage diabetes ABCs:
- A1C test. This blood test determines a person’s average blood sugar level during the previous three months. For many diabetic patients, the result must be less than 7%.
- Blood pressure. The blood pressure objective for diabetics must be less than 140/90 mm Hg.
- Cholesterol. An excess of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in the blood may lead to blood vessel blockage.
- Smoking. In addition to diabetes, smoking is a major factor in blood vessel narrowing. Quitting smoking helps to reduce the risk of heart problems, heart attack, stroke, or other medical problems.
If a person is diabetic and facing any heart disorder signs like pain or strain in the chest, breathing difficulty, or weakness, it is a must to visit a doctor instantly. Doctors might suggest certain lifestyle modifications and consuming a healthy diet. Additionally, they might suggest some medicines.
These suggestions may save any person’s life. Now that you know better about the link between diabetes and heart disorder, it’s time to take action.
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