Adults who have been diagnosed with diabetes are more than twice as likely to die from heart disease as adults not living with diabetes. In fact, 65% of people with diabetes eventually die from cardiovascular disease. Reasons for this increased risk are that a person with diabetes is more likely to have high blood pressure, have abnormal cholesterol with high triglycerides, be obese, have poorly controlled high blood sugar levels, and usually lack physical activity. However, the American Heart Association considers cardiovascular disease to be one of the six major controllable risk factors for diabetes.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, is a catch-all term used to describe a wide range of diseases that affect the circulatory system including the heart and blood vessels. Specific illnesses include:
- Congenital heart defects
- Arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms
- Ischemic heart disease, also called coronary artery disease
- Infections and other conditions that affect the muscles or valves within the heart
These illnesses often lead to heart attacks or strokes. Even with prompt medical attention, death is a common outcome with either of these events. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Diabetes Can Lead to Cardiovascular Damage
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and circulatory system leading to hypertension and atherosclerosis; two conditions that anyone can develop, but are more common with diabetes and heart disease. In addition to these problems, diabetes-specific issues can also arise including the following abnormalities:
- Microangiopathy – small capillary and blood vessel damage
- Autonomic neuropathy – damage to the nerves that serve the major organs of the body
- Damage to both the inner and outer blood vessel linings
Risk Factors for Diabetes and Heart Disease
Diabetes and heart disease has a number of other risk factors including:
High Cholesterol- High Blood Pressure
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Low Activity Levels
- Stress
- Poor Diet
- Family History
Maintaining a Healthy Heart
Lucky for you, the same lifestyle changes, such as exercise and a balanced diet, can help prevent high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. In addition to managing the risk factors for heart disease listed above, it is good to limit your alcohol consumption or stop drinking completely; alcohol can rob your body of important nutrients. Also, be sure you get adequate daily doses of the following heart-healthy supplements for cardiovascular health maintenance:
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- Garlic
- Vitamins D, E, C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- CoQ10
Precautions for Diabetes Patients
If you have diabetes, you should be very mindfulof the increased chance that you could develop heart disease. If you are unaware about whether or not you have heart disease, visit your doctor to discuss your concerns. Early detection is important to prevent cardiovascular disease from progressing. Your doctor will also be able to tell you if certain risk factors, like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, are currently an issue. Since diabetes is stated to be one of the six major controllable risk factors for heart disease, issues like high cholesterol or high blood pressure can easily be managed and reversed, lowering your risk for heart disease.
By taking steps to manage both diabetes and heart disease, you can live a healthier and longer life!
References
- High Blood Sugar Supplement – PharmaTree Blood Sugar 360
- Diabetes Statistics – American Diabetes Association
- Heart Disease – Mayo Clinic
- Leading Causes of Death – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
