Heart disease is a common and serious disease in people with diabetes. According to 2012 research from the National Heart Association, 65% of people with diabetes are at the risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. In general, the risk of heart disease increases more than twice in people with diabetes.
The longer you have diabetes, the more likely the chance of developing heart disease (and even dying from it) increases. Cardiovascular diseases are more common in people with Type-2 Diabetes, and heart disease is the number one cause of death among people with Type-2 diabetes. Continue reading to learn more about the connection between diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
Causes Of Heart Disease In People With Diabetes?
If your blood sugar level is high for a long time or slightly elevated, it can damage the blood vessels and nerves over time. This damage can make it easier for cholesterol and fat to accumulate in the arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow to the heart, increasing the risk of heart attacks and other complications.
Diabetes often goes hand in hand with high blood pressure and abnormal levels of blood fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. These conditions also raise the chances of heart disease.
Diabetic patients are not only at higher risk of heart disease, but also at higher risk of heart failure. Heart failure is a serious medical condition where the heart cannot pump blood properly. It can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs, which causes breathing difficulties or fluid retention in other body areas, such as the legs, causing swelling.
Symptoms Of Heart Attack In The Person Of Diabetes
If you are pre-diabetes or a Type-1 or Type-2 diabetes patient, you should be aware of the symptoms of heart attack including:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nausea, vomiting, and indigestion
- Profuse sweating
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Pain in the shoulder, neck, and left arm
How Is Heart Disease Treated In The Persons With Diabetes?
There are several treatments available for heart disease and those with diabetes, depending on the severity of the heart disease, including:
Lifestyle modifications:
- Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
- Monitor and control blood sugar levels.
- Quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.
Surgery:
- Coronary arteries bypass grafting (CABG) for severe blockages.
- Coronary angioplasty and stent placement to open blocked arteries.
Medicines:
- Blood pressure medicine to manage high BP
- Ayurvedic medicine for diabetes and cholesterol
- Aspirin therapy to reduce the risk of blood clots.
How Can We Prevent Heart Disease In People With Diabetes?
The best way to prevent heart disease is to take care of your diabetes and yourself to reduce the risk of diabetes:
- Control your blood sugar level with the help of herbal diabetes capsule.
- Manage cholesterol for healthy heart benefits.
- Quit smoking and avoid the consumption of alcohol.
- Manage stress through mindfulness, yoga, or relaxation techniques.
- Follow a healthy diet and drink more water.
- Engage in regular exercise.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Maintain your blood pressure below 140/90mm Hg.
Diet To Follow To Prevent Heart Diseases In People With Diabetes
If you have diabetes and want to prevent heart diseases, follow a healthy diet. It can help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and other heart-related complications. Examples of heart-healthy foods include:
- Oats: High in soluble fibre, they can help lower cholesterol levels.
- Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel): Rich in omega-3 fatty acids for heart health.
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts): Provide healthy fats and antioxidants.
- Leafy greens (spinach, kale): Low in calories and packed with nutrients.
- Berries (blueberries, strawberries): Contain antioxidants and fibre.
- Avocado: Offers monounsaturated fats and potassium.
- Beans and legumes: High in fibre and protein, beneficial for heart health
- Olive Oil: A source of monounsaturated fats for a heart-healthy diet.
- Whole grains (brown rice, quinoa): Provide complex carbs and fibre.
