Heart Disease and Diabetes
Heart disease is high amongst people with diabetes of both types 1 and 2. A diabetic is at least two to four times more likely to have coronary artery disease. And once a person with diabetes has a heart or stroke event, it is very likely that it will recur again. Many diabetics are unaware of this statistic. When you have diabetes, it is important to do whatever you can to maintain a healthy heart. Diabetes causes heart disease because of the chemical changes in the blood. And then these changes make it very simple for fatty acids, (known as plaque), to form on the blood vessel walls. When this happens, you then have what is called premature artherosclerosis, or more simply called hardening of the arteries. This hardening of the arteries is how the blood vessels become narrow. They can also clog up completely, causing a massive heart attack. PAD, or Peripheral arterial disease is defined as a condition caused by heart disease. It is experienced most commonly by diabetics. When you have PAD, palque will form in the arteries that supply your blood to the lower extremities. This causes tissue in the feet for example, to die. This is why many times, amputations are required with diabetics. Preventing diabetes related heart disease is important then. Do you watch your cholesterol? With so many chemical changes in the blood, lower than average levels of your HDL which is the good cholesterol, are commonplace in diabetics. People with diabetes also seem to have greater leveles of triglycerides, while the LDL (the bad cholesterol), is more likely to clog your blood vessels. This is because those particles are smaller and more dense. Watch for these disorders if you already have them:
2. Lipid disorders
3. High LDL (bad) cholesterol 4. Low HDL (good) cholesterol 5. High Triglycerides If you smoke, you really should quit as this makes your risk for heart-related events that much higher. Obesity and lack of physical activity, and insulin resistance are other contributing risk factors for heart trouble. Good target cholesterol levels for diabetics Women should have an HDL of 40 mg/dl and an LDL of <100 mg dl
Men should have an HDL of 50 mg/dl and an LDL of <100 mg/dl
Healthy Heart Tips to Follow Exercise by walking even for only 15 minutes per day each day. Activity is good and increases your heart rate, which keeps you heart-healthy. Walking even decreases blood sugar levels. Have regular cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride testing. Not only is your blood sugar important, but lipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides are critical if you have diabetes, and even if you don't actually. Those blood components can and DO cause massive heart attacks or even a fast death if not treated properly. Always remember your diet as well when you are diabetic. Diet is a big factor in helping cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides stay where they are supposed to. If you keep them in check, you should live a longer, and healthier life. For more information on the heart and cardiomyopathy see this page.
|
