Diabetes And Heart Disease: What Is The Relationship Between Them?

Diabetes and heart disease as a combination is a deadly one. Did you know that adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to suffer from heart disease than those without diabetes? While it is difficult enough to deal with diabetes, when the person begins to suffer from cardiac problems, the situation becomes much worse. The American Heart Association considers diabetes to be one of the controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Read more to find the connection between diabetes and heart problems and how you can prevent them.

A Link Between Heart Disease and Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is marked by high blood glucose levels. Over a period of time, the elevated sugar in the blood leads to arterial damage that causes them to stiffen and harden. This is known as Atherosclerosis. High sugar levels also lead to plaque formation, as those with diabetes also have high cholesterol levels. When the arteries get damaged due to plaque, the body sends platelets to try to repair the wall. Due to the narrowing of the arteries, this leads to a blockage that stops the oxygen from reaching the heart and the brain and ultimately results in a heart attack or a stroke. It is interesting to note that high cholesterol levels have already occurred before the elevation of sugar levels. Therefore, heart disease has already manifested before the onset of diabetes. Please remember not to self-diagnose or take medications without proper consultation.

Risk Factors of Diabetes and Heart Disease

There are several risk factors when it comes to diabetes and the heart. Here are some of them.

1. Family History

Those who have a family history of diabetes and heart disease are at very high risk. They should be extra careful about their diet, medicines and exercise. Those with Type 2 diabetes are at a risk of having a silent heart attack or a heart attack without any symptoms.

2. High Cholesterol Levels

The LDL levels (bad cholesterol) determine the timeline of the onset of heart disease. LDL has been considered one of the most critical factors in determining vulnerability to cardiovascular problems.

3. Smoking

Smoking causes constriction and tightening of the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood flow to the heart and the brain. Those who smoke and have diabetes, increase their risks of developing heart problems exponentially. Read more about the relationship between smoking and diabetes.

4. High Blood Pressure

This is another significant risk factor for diabetes and heart disease. Chronically elevated blood pressure levels cause a majority of heart attacks.

5. Obesity

Obesity is linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. Even those who appear lean or thin but have a high amount of belly fat are at an increased risk of developing heart disease.

6. Sedentary Lifestyle

Those who are not active physically and have diabetes tend to develop heart problems at a much earlier age than their counterparts who are diabetics but who exercise.

7. Age

Those who develop diabetes earlier in life have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular problems. Also, as one gets older, the odds of suffering from heart disease increase.

8. Unhealthy Diet

A diet rich in fats, processed foods and with fewer quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables is bad for diabetes and the heart. Following such an unhealthy diet will cause diabetes and heart disease.

9. Stress

People with diabetes already respond negatively to stress as their sugar levels become high due to anxiety. Stress can indirectly increase the risk of developing heart problems as it makes one overeat or smoke or drink more. Also, read about the different relaxation techniques to help fight stress.

10. Gender

More men develop heart problems under the age of 55 years. Women suffer more from cardiac issues once they cross 55 years of age.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Many people who have diabetes suffer from ‘silent heart attacks’ due to the nerve damage related to their high sugar levels. This is why regular screening is essential for all those who have diabetes. There are some symptoms to watch out for. If you suffer from any of the following, call the ambulance immediately.

1. Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack. It is also known as Angina. It feels like a pressure or painful squeezing of the chest. One might feel it in the arms, neck, back or jaws.
2. Nausea and lightheadedness
3. Shortness of breath
4. Sweating
5. Fatigue
6. Indigestion
7. Loss of balance or dizziness.
8. Trouble seeing things or having double vision.
9. Confusion
10. Sudden severe headache

Prevention of Diabetes and Heart Disease

There are a lot of things you can do to manage your diabetes and stop or delay the onset of heart problems. The risks are reduced by introducing lifestyle changes, medicines and increasing activity levels. Here are some tweaks that bring positive results.

1. Healthy Diet

Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat food items, a high-protein diet helps to combat heart problems. Read more about diet tips for diabetes.

2. Healthy Weight

Shedding off excess weight and maintaining a healthy weight helps to keep away cardiac issues for long. Instead of a tough weight-loss plan, sit with your doctor and chalk out a reasonable weight-loss strategy.

3. Quit Smoking

Smoking damages the blood vessels in the body and increases the risk of heart problems. Quit smoking to improve your health. Read more about how to quit smoking.

4. Get Moving

Exercising for just 30 minutes five times a week brings down the risks of developing heart problems in people with diabetes. If you cannot exercise in one go, divide the activity into batches of ten minutes. It also helps to control the high glucose levels in the blood. Read more about the health benefits of exercise.

5. Stress Management

Learn to meditate and not stress over things in life. Anger, jealousy, spite are negative emotions that affect the body negatively.

6. Medications

If you already have heart disease, take your medicines on time to prevent more complicated issues. Furthermore, inform your doctor if you have any history of allergy to medicines (if experienced in the past).

7. Control the Parameters

To prevent an early onset of heart problems, keep your blood sugar levels and your blood pressure levels under control. Avoid too many fluctuations to prevent organ damage.

Takeaway

There are several treatment options to keep heart disease and diabetes under control. With proper lifestyle changes, effective weight management and efficient control over blood sugar levels, those who suffer from diabetes can live healthy and quality lives.

Read More: 10 Home Remedies for Diabetes

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25070828/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31722562/
3. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/type-2/diabetes-and-your-heart

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