Is diabetes directly related to heart disease?

Although diabetics have an increased risk of developing heart disease at the same time, heart health can be maintained through changes in diet, exercise and lifestyle.

Is diabetes directly related to heart disease?

Most people with diabetes realize that diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. And the statistics are really shocking: According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly two-thirds of people with diabetes have high blood pressure, and people with diabetes have a greater chance of dying from heart disease or stroke than others without diabetes.
But the good news is: Learn more about the link between heart disease and diabetes can help you take steps to protect your heart and control your diabetes.


Contact between diabetes and heart disease

The relationship between diabetes and heart disease begins with high blood sugar levels. Over time, high glucose in the blood of patients with diabetes can damage the arteries, causing them to become stiff. When blood vessels become stiff and inelastic, fatty substances are more likely to accumulate inside these blood vessels, a condition called atherosclerosis. This will eventually stop the blood from flowing to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke. Conversely, if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease or stroke, the risk of developing diabetes is further increased.

Other factors that need to be considered in the heart:

A. People with diabetes are prone to cardiovascular disease when they are younger than others.

B. The main cause of death in diabetic patients is myocardial infarction or stroke.

C. People with diabetes have the same risk of developing myocardial infarction as those who have had previous myocardial infarction without diabetes.

How can diabetes protect your heart?

If you think your risk of heart disease is high, don't be depressed. There are several small lifestyle changes that not only help prevent heart disease, but also control diabetes more effectively.

1. Exercise positive. The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per week. If you don't have 30 minutes at a time, break it down every 10 minutes to exercise. In addition, the American Diabetes Association recommends that a few minutes of standing up every 30 minutes during a long sit-in can help improve blood sugar control.

2. Consider low doses of aspirin. The American Heart Association recommends taking low doses of aspirin daily, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, be sure to consult your doctor because aspirin treatment is not for everyone.

3. Eat a diet that is good for your heart. Reduce the consumption of high-cholesterol foods such as fried foods (containing saturated fats, trans fats) and red meat and eggs. Instead, eat more high-fiber foods, including whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Following a healthy heart diet can also help you control your diabetes.

4. If you are overweight, try to lose weight. If you are overweight, even a small fraction of your weight loss can help you lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Start with a healthy heart-based diet and be more energetic every day.

5. Keep blood cholesterol levels within target range. LDL (bad) cholesterol should be below 100; HDL (good) cholesterol should be above 40 and the higher the better. If your cholesterol is too high, tell your doctor what you can do to lower your cholesterol.

6. Monitor your blood glucose levels by checking A1C (glycated hemoglobin) twice in a year. This check can show your average blood glucose level for the past three months. Normal A1C (glycated hemoglobin) levels should be below 5.7.

7. Maintain a controlled blood pressure level. Ideally, your blood pressure should be 120/80 or lower. Every time you go to the hospital, your doctor will check your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, please tell the doctor what measures you can take to reduce it.

8. Quit smoking. People with heart disease, diabetes or both diseases and who smoke also have an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. When you are ready to quit, talk to your doctor for help.

9. Take all medications as prescribed. Being diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease is a serious threat to your health. If you have any of the above, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you with your treatment. It is important to take these medicines as prescribed. So we need to make sure that the right dose, the right time, the right way, the right frequency, when taking the medicine, because skipping treatment can lead to negative health outcomes.

Doctors advise: If you have diabetes and have heart disease, the most critical step in treatment is that you need to change your lifestyle, such as eating healthy, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking. Secondly, you may also need medications to lower your blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol levels and treat any heart damage. In some serious cases, you may need surgery or other medical treatment to treat heart disease. Each person's treatment will vary depending on the type of cardiovascular complications you may have.