How Diabetes Affects the Heart


Diabetes is a disease in which the body's blood glucose (sugar) level is incredibly high. Usually, the body breaks down food into glucose and carries it to cells throughout the body. The cells use a hormone called insulin to turn the glucose into energy. The two main types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the body doesn't make enough insulin. This causes the body's blood sugar level to rise. In type 2 diabetes, the body's cells don't use insulin properly. At first, the body reacts by making more insulin. Over time, the body can't make enough insulin to control its blood sugar level.



Heart disease is common in people with diabetes. Data from the National Heart Association shows that 65% of people with diabetes will die from some sort of heart disease or stroke. In general, the risk of heart disease death and stroke are twice as high in people with diabetes. While all people with diabetes have an increased chance of developing heart disease, the condition is more common in those with type 2 diabetes. In fact, heart disease is the number one cause of death among people with type 2 diabetes.

What is the link between diabetes, heart disease, and stroke?
Over time, high blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. The longer you have diabetes, the higher the chances that you will eventually develop heart disease. People with diabetes tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than people without diabetes. In adults with diabetes, the most common causes of death are heart disease and stroke. They are nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke as people without diabetes.

The connection between diabetes and heart disease can be summed up related to “high glucose.” It has often been said that diabetes is not the problem, and that it is the high glucose in the blood that is the problem. Indeed it is high glucose levels that cause more problems as the condition makes a trouble throughout bodily organs. Blood vessels of all types and sizes get damaged from high glucose. From the tiniest blood vessel in the tips of your toes to the largest blood vessels in your heart, high blood glucose provides the connection between heart disease and diabetes.

What is the cause of heart disease amongst diabetics?
Hyperglycemia, in combination with free fatty acids in the blood can change the makeup of blood vessels, and this can lead to cardiovascular disease.The lining of the blood vessels may become thicker, and this in turn can impair blood flow.Heart problems and the possibility of stroke can occur.

How can I protect my heart if I already have diabetes?
If you have diabetes, it’s very important to make sure that you control your blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels to help reduce your risk of coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases.
To do this you can:
●do more physical activity
●eat a healthy, balanced diet
●control your weight, and
●give up smoking.

Once again, lifestyle modifications such as exercise, weight loss, and decreased stress level may well be an important part of the answer. These may take time and patience but they are safe and can bring positive changes in one's health.

Location: New York, NY, USA

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