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Did you know that a person with diabetes reaches a bad risk for heart disease? Based on the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes have cardiovascular disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than those without diabetes.
Dr. Rena Mehta, internist within the company at Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Ill., says that people who have high levels of glucose in the blood run a high-risk of damaging their arteries over time. This damage is known as arteriosclerosis.
“The rise in plaque development and fatty deposits lead to narrowing of the arteries and can cause heart attack or stroke,” Dr. Mehta says.
Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics have equal risk of developing heart disease, she says.
“Type 1 diabetics have experienced diabetes in a young age and may see complications sooner than Type 2 diabetics,” Dr. Mehta says. “However, Type 2 diabetics develop cardiovascular disease in an earlier age when compared with non-diabetics simply because they produce other risks.”
She says these risks include obesity, high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure level.
“People who’ve pre-diabetes, or higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, will also be at risk for developing cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Mehta says.
Generally, individuals with diabetes go through the same cardiac arrest symptoms as the remaining population, she says. These symptoms include gripping chest pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and left-sided pain within the jaw, neck, back or stomach. However, Dr. Mehta adds that individuals with diabetes usually have neuropathy (nerve damage) and may not feel the same pain intensity.
“They might feel a dull ache or think they have indigestion,” Dr. Mehta says. “All diabetics should call their doctor or 911 if they are experiencing these symptoms or similar symptoms.”
Prevention Steps
To avoid cardiovascular disease, the very best preventative is through keeping blood sugar levels under control through medication and a nutritious diet, she says. Meals should include whole grain products, liver organ along with a number of fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Mehta recommends that people with diabetes should consume four or five healthy meals or snacks a day to keep blood sugar levels balanced.
“It’s very easy to fall into the two meals a day routine however this will cause the highs and lows in blood sugar levels,” Dr. Mehta says.
Despite the hyperlink between cardiovascular disease and diabetes, Dr. Mehta says monitoring your blood glucose levels and leading a healthy lifestyle are key to prevention.
