Heart disease is actually a complication that might affect individuals with diabetes if their condition is not managed well for a long period.
As a matter of fact, individuals with diabetes are actually more likely to develop some conditions or risk factors that increase the risk of stroke and heart diseases like high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
In the case of diabetes, people can protect their health and heart by managing blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
The Link Between Diabetes and Heart Disease
People living with diabetes no matter whether type 1 or type 2 are more likely to have high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.
Vascular issues, like poor circulation to the feet and legs, are more likely to affect those with diabetes. The same as diabetes, the symptoms of cardiovascular disease might go undetected for a long time.
Things That Increase the Chances of Stroke and Heart Disease
- Belly fat and obesity;
- Smoking;
- High blood pressure;
- Abnormal cholesterol levels;
- Family history of heart disease.
Symptoms of Heart Disease
The following symptoms are most common in heart disease. However, bear in mind that they might vary from one individual to another.
- Short of breath;
- Irregular heartbeat;
- Pain in the chest;
- Swelling of ankles.
It is best to consult your doctor and do some tests.
How to Prevent Heart Disease?
In order to take care of the heart, people need to take care of their diabetes. People might lower the chances of stroke and heart attack by managing their diabetes and keeping healthy their blood vessels and heart.
Managing weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise is important. Also, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake are important. Moreover, it is important to check blood pressure and cholesterol at least once each year.
In both treatment and prevention, it is vital to control blood glucose levels. According to research reducing Hba1c by 1 percent lowers the risk of heart failure by 16 percent in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Develop and Maintain Healthy Lifestyle Habits
To prevent heart disease people need to manage their diabetes. This means that they need to develop and also maintain healthy lifestyle habits. Those habits are:
- Get enough sleep;
- Get to a healthy weight;
- Eat healthily;
- Exercise regularly.
Learn to Manage Stress
A lot of people underestimate stress, that is they underestimate the power of stress. However, people that have diabetes are aware that managing this condition is not easy at all.
Feeling angry, stressed, and sad is common for people with diabetes. Long-term stress might raise blood pressure and blood sugar. Therefore we need to learn how to deal with it.
We need to find what relaxes you the most. Try yoga, deep breathing, meditating, some new hobby, gardening or simply taking a walk.
Warning Signs of Stroke and Heart Attack
In order to protect ourselves, we need to learn all signs of stroke and heart attack.
- Feeling very tired;
- Pressure and pain in your chest which lasts a few minutes or which goes away and then comes back;
- Nausea or indigestion (feeling sick to the stomach);
- Discomfort or pain in one or both shoulders or arms, or jaw, neck, and back;
- Light-headedness or sweating;
- Shortness of breath.
Remember the treatment works best when it’s given immediately. Warning signs might vary from individual to individual, meaning you might not have all of the symptoms above mentioned.
The best thing to do is to consult your doctor and make a prevention plan. Do not forget, that prevention is the key.
