Heart Problems
| Author: Judy Kohn, RN, BSN, CDE |
| Last Updated: Thursday, December 27, 2007 |
Q: "I was recently told that diabetes can cause damage to the heart. Is this true? My brother is diabetic and has just undergone quadruple by-pass surgery for some major blockages. His surgeon said most of the damage was caused by his diabetes. I had never heard this before."
A: Yes, it is very true that diabetes can affect the heart.
Some disturbing facts:
- Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or suffer a stroke than people without diabetes.
- It has been estimated that at the time of diagnosis, 50% of people with type 2 diabetes already have some vascular disease, because diabetes often goes undetected for many years.
- People with Pre-Diabetes are 50% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke than are people with normal blood glucose levels.
- Yet surveys show that over 65% of people with diabetes do not consider cardiovascular disease (CVD) to be a serious complication of diabetes, and only 18% of people with diabetes believe that they are at increased risk for CVD.
Why is there a relationship between heart disease and diabetes?
- High blood glucose levels over time can damage blood vessels, resulting in blood vessel walls that are thicker and less elastic; this makes it more difficult for the blood to pass through.
- Many people with diabetes also have abnormal blood fats (also called lipids, which include cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL) caused both by poorly controlled diabetes as well as poor diet. Elevated lipids can further clog blood vessels, increasing your risk of a heart attack, stroke, or poor circulation in your legs.
What you can do to stay heart healthy:
- Stay active: Physical activity is considered so crucial to your heart health that the American Heart Association recognizes physical inactivity as one of the major risk factors for heart disease!
- Control your blood glucose levels: Maintain your blood glucose range as close to normal levels as possible. That includes an A1C of under 7.
- Control your blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage not only your heart but also your kidneys. The ADA recommended goal is: under 130/80.
- Control your lipids: Exercise will help to increase your heart-protective HDL-cholesterol, while weight loss and a healthy diet will lower your LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) as well as your cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Control your weight: The foods you eat affect your blood glucose levels, your lipids, and your weight. Aim to get your entire family on track with healthy eating and exercise habits.
- Stop Smoking: Everyone knows that smoking is not good for you, but if you have diabetes and smoke, you increase your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease threefold.
- Ask your doctor if aspirin is right for you: Studies show that taking aspirin may help prevent heart attacks. Do not start taking aspirin without your doctor's OK, since certain medical conditions might prevent you from being able to take this medication.
Related Questions
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Related Links
American Heart Association (AHA)
http://www.americanheart.org
National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP)
http://ndep.nih.gov
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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