People with Diabetes are at higher risk for developing concurrent health problems and complications, particularly heart disease and stroke. That’s because Diabetics are more likely to have high blood pressure, high triglyceride levels and high cholesterol putting them at risk for these serious diseases.
Heart disease can be much more deadly in someone with Diabetes than in someone without Diabetes. The American Heart Association estimates more than 65% of the people with Diabetes die of heart disease or stroke. What’s more, heart attacks can occur earlier in life in people with Diabetes.
Although all diabetics are at increased risk for developing heart disease, it is more common in those with Type 2 Diabetes. In fact, a build up of cholesterol in the arteries typically precedes increased blood glucose (sugar) levels, which means heart disease is usually already present prior to a patient’s diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.
The Evidence
The Framingham Heart Study, a long-term research project to identify the common factors or characteristics contributing to cardiovascular disease, was one of the first studies to make the correlation between Diabetes and heart disease. By following generations of people, the study also identified high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity and family history of early heart disease as additional risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Not surprisingly, the study concluded that the more risk factors a person has for heart disease, the more likely they will develop heart disease and, potentially, die from it. As evidenced by the statistics, there is an even more significant correlation between these risk factors and heart disease in people with Diabetes. In fact, another medical study found that in the absence of other risk factors, people with Diabetes are five times as likely as people without Diabetes to die of heart disease.
Causes of Heart Disease
Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the coronary arteries, is the most common cause of heart disease. When cholesterol builds up in these arteries, which carry oxygen to the heart, it hardens and forms layers of plaque. If these plaques break apart, they can result in blood clots blocking the blood vessels. If plaque causes clots in the coronary arteries, there is the potential for a heart attack. If clots form in the vessels supplying blood to the brain, there is an increased chance of stroke. If plaque builds up in or blocks vessels leading to the legs, feet, arms or hands, peripheral vascular disease is likely.
Treating Heart Disease for those with Diabetes
If you have Diabetes and have been diagnosed with heart disease, the best way to keep the disease from progressing is to eat heart-healthy meals and exercise. Doing so can help you lose weight, control your blood sugar levels and decrease high blood pressure, cholesterol and abdominal fat.
In addition, your doctor should be consulted to determine if you would benefit from prescribed medications designed to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol or regular doses of aspirin to decrease your risk of blood clots. Remember, talk to your doctor before initiating this therapy since taking aspirin may not be recommended if you have certain medical conditions.
Preventing Heart Disease
The best way to prevent heart disease is to live a healthy lifestyle:
- Eat a diet low in fat, salt and sugar and high in fiber, whole grains and omega-3 fatty acids
- Control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol
- Get regular exercise
- Lose weight if you’re obese
- Quit smoking
- See your doctor on a regular basis to map an effective course of preventative activities
By taking good care of yourself and managing Diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, you can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
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