Home > Diabetes Related Heart Disease
Diabetes Related Heart Disease


Heart Disease is one of the most dangerous complications
of diabetes.  People with diabetes have twice the risk of
having heart disease compared to people without diabetes,
and over 65 percent of deaths in diabetics are vascular or
heart disease related. Learning about diabetes related heart
disease will help you prevent complications and conditions
that could put your health at serious risk.

How Does Diabetes Affect the Heart?

People with diabetes often have high blood sugar levels.  A high blood sugar level
can damage the blood vessels and arteries in the body. Diabetes can also raise your
blood cholesterol level.  Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol, can
build up and clog the inside of the arteries.  This condition is called atherosclerosis,
which causes
high blood pressure and can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Typical symptoms of a heart disease can be a pounding heart beat, chest and arm
pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, nausea and sweating.  But Diabetes can
cause these symptoms to be unnoticed, causing delays in treatment and making
serious complications more probable.  Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage, can
make the signs of a heart attack to be discarded as an upset stomach or indigestion,
since this condition damages the sensations of pain and touch.  This is called silent
ischemia, or a silent heart attack.

These complications are very serious and dangerous.  It is very important to visit
your health care professional regularly, get the needed tests done and have a healthy
lifestyle that will help you avoid these conditions now and in the future.  Let’s look at
some important steps you must take to keep diabetes related heart disease under
control.

Step 1- Educate Yourself

If you have Diabetes, it is important to learn as much as you can about your
condition and the complications associated with it.  By doing this, you will learn how
to live a lifestyle that will help you live longer and healthier, and avoid the dangers
associated with diabetes related heart disease.  You will be able to enjoy your life for
a very long time, and take care of your body the way you need to.  Visit your doctor
regularly and always follow his directions.  Remember that although diabetes is a
dangerous disease and it can bring along complications like heart disease and stroke,
you play a huge role on your well being.

Step 2 – Control your Blood Glucose Level

Keeping your blood glucose level under control is extremely important since doing so
will prevent delay the damage to your arteries and blood vessels.  Many diabetics test
their blood sugar on a daily basis and make sure they are within the needed range.  It
is also important to have a hemoglobin A1C test, which reflects the average blood
sugar level over a period of three months.  It is recommended that you have this test
done two times a year and your target range should be below 7 percent.

Step 3- Control Your Blood Pressure Level

As we already learned, diabetes can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the
risk for heart disease and stroke.  High blood pressure control can be achieved with
lifestyle changes.  Diet and exercise are crucial to keep your blood pressure under
control.  You must also limit your alcohol consumption.  Your doctor might also
prescribe medication. The medications used to treat high blood pressure include
diuretics, beta blockers, alpha blockers, alpha beta blockers, vasodilators, calcium
channel blockers, angiotensin antagonists and ACE inhibitors.  Your target blood
pressure level should be below 130/80.

Step 4 - Control your LDL Levels

LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol clogs up your arteries and blood
vessels, which leads to high blood pressure and can cause heart attack and stroke.  
In order to keep your cholesterol level under control, it is important to maintain a
healthy diet, loose weight if necessary, stay physically active and stop smoking.  
Make sure you check your cholesterol level at least once a year.  Your target should
be below 100mg/dl.
Your HDL (High Density Lipoprotein) or good cholesterol level should be kept above
40mg/dl in men and 50mg/dl in women.

As you can see, your lifestyle plays a huge role in keeping diabetes related heart
disease under control.  The lifestyle changes you make will help you live a healthier,
longer life and avoid serious complications associated with diabetes and heart
disease.  It is important to know the connection between these two diseases and
make the needed lifestyle changes to stay healthy.  Remember to always consult
your doctor before making any treatment or diet changes.
Click here to keep learning about Heart Disease.
diabetes related heart disease. Heart complications associated with diabetes
Search this site!
Dr. Pete's Eating for a Healthy Heart Will Show YOU How to Live the Heart Healthy Way
Subscribe to our Free Newsletter!

Our free monthly newsletter will provide you with updated diabetes related
information that will inform you of the latest developments in the health industry,
plus more hints and tips on living healthier, happier and longer, winning the battle
over diabetes.  Subscribe today!
Subscribe Me!

Name:
Email Address:
The content in this website is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and it
is in no way meant to diagnose any illness or to replace the recommendations and
directions given by a health care professional.

 
Site Map       Disclaimer        Privacy Policy         Links       Forum Boards
Learn the Secrets of Living the Heart Healthy Way - Click Now