Diabetes leads to a greater risk of developing heart disease. This is also known as cardiovascular disease (CVD) or coronary disease, resulting in heart attacks and strokes.
Cardiovascular illness has an impact on your blood circulation as well. In addition, poor circulation worsens other diabetic issues, such as vision and foot difficulties. If you cannot manage diabetes or sugar levels and are at risk of heart disease.
That is why, if you have diabetes, it is even more crucial to take excellent care of your heart. This blog will help you understand why diabetes raises your risk of heart disease and how you may lower your risk.
Why is diabetes associated with an increased risk of heart disease?
If you have high blood sugar levels for an extended period, your blood vessels might get damaged even if they are highly raised, leading to major heart problems.
- Obesity, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, or a history of a heart attack are all risk factors for heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for CHF on its own.
- This is because your body can’t effectively utilize all of the sugar, so more of it attaches to your red blood cells and collects in your blood. This buildup can block and damage the blood arteries that transport blood to and from your heart, limiting oxygen and nutrition.
- Keeping your HbA1c level as near to your target as possible can help protect your blood vessels and, as a result, your heart. Even slightly high blood sugar levels might put you at greater risk over time.
- According to cardiac specialists, each percentage point rise in HbA1C is connected with a 30% increase in the risk of heart failure. You can consult a diabetes doctor to determine your HbA1c and how to decrease it if it’s too high.
What factors keep the heart healthy with type 2 diabetes?
If you have diabetes type 2, you may do steps to help avoid heart disease.
- Maintain healthy blood pressure – High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is critical to have your blood pressure checked regularly, at least once a year for most individuals, and more frequently if you have high blood pressure. Take actions to avoid or control high blood pressure, including dietary and lifestyle modifications.
- Manage your cholesterol and triglycerides levels – High cholesterol levels can block your arteries, increasing your risk of coronary artery disease and heart stroke. Cholesterol levels can be reduced by lifestyle modifications and medications (if necessary). Triglycerides are a kind of fat that may be present in the bloodstream. Increased levels of triglyceride may cause coronary heart disease, particularly in women.
- Maintain a healthy weight – if a patient with type 2 diabetes has Obesity or overweight can have a higher risk of heart disease. This is mostly related to other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. You can reduce These dangers by maintaining a healthy weight.
- Eat a healthy diet – Limit your intake of saturated fats, sodium-rich meals, and added sugars. Consume plenty of fresh produce and healthy grains. A healthy diet is an example of an eating plan that can assist you in lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol, both of which can reduce your risk of heart disease.
- Exercise regularly – Exercise can help you lower your blood sugar level, strengthen your heart, and enhance blood circulation. It can also aid in maintaining a healthy weight and reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. These things can help reduce your risk of heart disease even if you have diabetes 2.
- Limit alcohol – Excessive alcohol use might raise your blood pressure. Additionally, it adds calories, which may result in weight gain. Both of them increase your chances of developing heart disease. A patient with type 2 diabetes should not consume alcohol as it can harm you in several ways.
- Reach Your HbA1c – The A1c level for most people with type 2 diabetes is less than 7%. However, your optimal amount may be considerably lower or higher depending on your age and health. Maintaining a balanced blood sugar level protects your blood vessels from harm.
- Avoid smoking – Cigarette smoking increases blood pressure and increases your heart attack and stroke risk. You can get assistance from your health care professional in deciding the right strategy for you to quit smoking.
- Manage stress – Stress is connected to heart disease in several ways. Increased stress may cause an increase in blood pressure. Excessive stress can act as a “trigger” for a heart attack. Furthermore, certain popular stress-relieving behaviors, such as overeating, heavy drinking, and smoking, are harmful to your heart. Exercise, listening to music, focusing on something quiet or peaceful, and meditation are all strategies to help manage stress.
- Control Diabetes – Diabetes increases the risk of diabetic heart disease by a factor of two. This is because type 2 diabetes-related high blood sugar can damage or block your blood vessels and the nerves that regulate your heart and blood vessels over time. As a result, it is critical to get tested for diabetes and, if diagnosed, to keep it under control.
- Get adequate sleep – Sleeping problems increase the risk of hypertension, Obesity, and diabetes. You can get heart disease from those three things. Adults require 7–9 hours of sleep. Make sure you get enough sleep. If you are facing any sleeping issues, see your doctor. Sleep apnea causes people to stop frequently breathing while sleeping. Disrupted sleeping patterns and insomnia also increase the risk of heart disease.
When should you see a doctor for type 2 diabetes?
- If you have type 2 diabetes and suffer heart disease symptoms such as chest discomfort or pressure, shortness of breath, or exhaustion, you should consult your doctor immediately.
- They may advise you to make lifestyle adjustments and consume a healthy diet. They may also provide recommendations for medications. These suggestions might save your life.
- Eat healthily, remain active, and do your best to keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels under control.
You can manage your risk factors and improve your heart health by making lifestyle changes and collaborating with your cardiologist in Delhi to develop a treatment plan that is suitable for you.
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