Diabetes heart problems are extremely serious and can be fatal. In fact, diabetic related heart disease is much more common than heart disease in people without diabetes.
According to the 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, diabetic complications include:
Heart disease and stroke
- In 2004, heart disease was noted on 68% of diabetes-related death certificates among people aged 65 years or older.
- In 2004, stroke was noted on 16% of diabetes-related death certificates among people aged 65 years or older.
- Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes.
- The risk for stroke is 2 to 4 times higher among people with diabetes.
High blood pressure
- In 2005-2008, of adults aged 20 years or older with self-reported diabetes, 67% had blood pressure greater than or equal to 140/90 mmHg or used prescription medications for hypertension.
The Warning Signs of Diabetes Heart Problems
There are several warning signs of diabetes related heart problems. For starters, many people with type 2 (insulin resistant) diabetes suffer from other chronic health problems also. These complications often times include increased weight, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, low thyroid levels, and the list goes on and on. All of these chronic health problems can lead to heart and circulatory disease, including heart attack and stroke.
According to the American Diabetes Association, the reality is that 2 out of 3 diabetics actually die from heart disease or stroke. Smoking along with any of these other risks, increases the chances of heart disease or stroke even more.
It is important to follow all of your physician’s recommendations regarding controlling blood sugar and decreasing your other risks to prevent heart problems or stroke.
Preventing Diabetes Heart Problems
It is imperative for people with diabetes to control blood sugar well. Follow your physician’s recommendations for monitoring and controlling your blood sugar. Diabetes is a metabolic disease that can damage many organs in the body if not controlled well. If you are having difficulty controlling your blood sugar, talk to your physician about adjusting your treatment plan to gain better control.
Other ways to increase your health and decrease your risk of diabetes related complications such as heart problems and stroke include:
- Follow a regular exercise program
- Check blood sugar as specified by your physician
- Keep a food journal and blood sugar log
- Take medications prescribed by physician
- Follow a diabetic heart healthy diet
- Loose weight if overweight or obesity is an issue
If you suffer from diabetes and are having a difficult time controlling it, contact your physician and request a referral to see a diabetes specialist, dietician, or therapist who can help get you on a plan that will lower your risk of diabetes heart problems.
