Heart Disease - The Diabetes Connection
People with diabetes are more likely to develop cardiovascular complications (that's problems with the heart and blood vessels). These are the most common long-term problem that develop in diabetes.
Why Is There a Connection?
Two reasons. First, high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels. They make the walls thicker and less elastic so blood has a harder time passing through.
Second, people with diabetes tend to have higher fat levels in their blood. Higher blood sugars can cause this. These fats or lipids clog and narrow the blood vessels. Sometimes they clog completely.
If you are a woman, you may think, "that's terrible, but I'm safe. Women are always less likely to develop heart disease." Not so! Women with diabetes are just as likely as men to have a heart attack or stroke.
How To Avoid Heart Disease?
There's no totally certain way to avoid heart disease and circulation problems. But there are lots of things to do to cut your risk.
Stop Smoking
This is the single most important thing you can do! Nicotine narrows and restricts blood vessels. So does having diabetes. You can't change having diabetes. But you can stop damage caused by nicotine.
Lose Weight If Overweight
Being overweight tends to increase your blood sugar, blood pressure and blood fat levels. Even a modest 10-20 pound weight loss will improve your levels. To lose weight, emphasize more low-fat eating…and exercise.
Keep Blood Pressure in Control
High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke. Have your blood pressure tested at least twice a year. If your blood pressure is over 130/85, lose weight. This is a lower target than for people who don't have diabetes. Follow a low-salt meal plan. Exercise more. And ask your doctor about medications to lower blood pressure.
Exercise More
Exercise keeps your heart healthy, and helps keep blood sugar and blood fat levels in control. Talk with an exercise specialist to start a sensible exercise program. Be sure to check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.
Keep Your Blood Fats and Cholesterol in Control
High levels of blood fats, including cholesterol, increase the risk of heart disease. Because you have diabetes, you are more likely to have high blood fat levels. So pay special attention! There is now proof that lowering levels of so-called bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) in persons with diabetes greatly lowers the risk of a heart attack.
Your total cholesterol should be less than 200. Your level of HDL (so-called good cholesterol) should be at least 45. Your level of LDL (so-called bad cholesterol) should be under 100. Your triglyceride level (another bad fat) should be under 200. To reach these goals, follow a low-fat, high fiber, lower calorie meal plan --weight loss decreases blood fat levels. See a dietitian for help.
Keep Blood Sugars in Check
Monitor your blood sugars regularly. Know how to adjust your medication, exercise and meal plan if blood sugars are unusually high (above 180 mg/dl) or unusually low (below 70) mg/dl). Lots of high blood sugars increase the risk for all other complications of diabetes.
Information from the Joslin Diabetes Center www.Joslin.org.