What is the relationship?
If you have diabetes, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease is more than double that of the general population, according to the American Heart AssociationTrusted Source.
For people with type 2 diabetes, heart disease is the most common cause of death.
There are a number of things you can do to lower your risk of heart disease. Understanding the connection between diabetes and heart disease is the first step toward prevention.
Does diabetes cause heart disease?
The high glucose (sugar) levels in the blood of people with diabetes can eventually damage blood vessels as well as the nerves that control them.
Body tissues typically use sugar as an energy source. It’s stored in the liver as a form of glycogen.
If you have diabetes, sugar can stay in your bloodstream and leak out of the liver into your blood, with subsequent damage to your blood vessels and the nerves that control them.
A blocked coronary artery can slow or stop blood from supplying oxygen and nutrients to your heart. The risk of heart disease increases the longer you have diabetes.
Monitoring blood sugar is an important part of properly managing diabetes. Check levels with a self-monitoring device according to your doctor’s instructions.
Keep a journal of your levels and bring it to your next medical appointment so that you and your doctor can review it together.
The following are some additional factors that can increase your risk of heart disease if you have diabetes.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is one of the most common risk factors for heart disease among people with diabetes.
It places strain on your heart and damages your blood vessels. This makes you more susceptible to a variety of complications including:
- heart attack
- stroke
- kidney problems
- vision issues
If you have both diabetes and high blood pressure, you’re at least twice as likely to develop heart disease as people without diabetes.
The simplest way to manage your blood pressure is to adopt a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and if needed, take medications as your doctor prescribed.
High cholesterol
Poorly managed levels of blood fats like cholesterol and triglycerides are common in people with diabetes. They can also increase the risk of developing heart disease.
Too much LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and not enough HDL (“good”) cholesterol may cause a buildup of fatty plaque in your blood vessels. This can create blockages and lead to having a heart attack or stroke.
Although in many cases genetics influence cholesterol levels, you can still manage and improve your levels by making healthy lifestyle choices and maintaining a regular exercise routine.
Obesity
People with diabetes are more likely to have overweight or obesity. Both conditions are risk factors for heart disease.
Obesity has a strong influence on:
- blood pressure
- blood sugar
- cholesterol levels
Weight loss can reduce the risk of heart disease.
One of the most effective ways to manage your weight is to work with a dietitian or nutritionist to create a healthy eating plan. Regular exercise also plays an important role in weight management.
Sedentary lifestyle
Having a sedentary lifestyle can seriously increase heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source recommends that every adult get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise per week.
Examples include:
- walking
- cycling
- dancing
The CDC also recommends doing strength-training exercises at least twice a week on nonconsecutive days.
Talk with your doctor to find out which exercises might be best suited for your fitness needs.
Smoking
If you have diabetes and you’re a smoker, your risk of developing heart disease is much higher than that of nonsmokers.
Both cigarette smoke and diabetes create a buildup of plaque in the arteries, which causes them to narrow.
This can result in a variety of complications, ranging from heart attack and stroke to foot problems. In severe cases, foot problems can even lead to amputation.
Remember that it’s never too late to quit. Ask your doctor about which smoking cessation methods might work best for you.
Symptoms
The symptoms of heart disease may vary based on its severity. Some people experience no symptoms at all. These are some of the most common symptoms:
- pressure, tightness, or pain in your chest behind the breastbone that may spread to your arms, neck, or back
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- feeling dizzy or weak
Diet
To help prevent heart disease if you have diabetes, try to follow a heart-healthy diet, which can help reduce your overall cholesterol and blood pressure, among other benefits. Examples of heart-healthy foods include:
- leafy greens like spinach and kale
- cold-water fish, such as salmon and sardines
- almonds, pecans and other nuts
- whole grains and oats
Try to limit your intake of:
- sodium
- sugar
- trans fat
- saturated fats
Always try to opt for low fat options in grocery stores or at restaurants.
Statistics
Death due to cardiovascular disease is 70 percent higher in adults with diabetesTrusted Source than in those without it, the CDC reports.
About 32 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have heart disease, according to a 2017 study.
At least 68 percent of people with diabetes ages 65 and older will die from some form of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.
People under the age of 65 with diabetes also have a significantly higher risk of:
- heart attack
- stroke
- kidney disease
Prevention
There are ways to help prevent heart disease if you have diabetes.
To do this, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends the manage your diabetes “ABCs”Trusted Source:
- A1C test. This blood test shows your average blood glucose level during the past 3 months. For most people with diabetes, the result should be below 7 percent.
- Blood pressure. The blood pressure goal for many people with diabetes is below 140/90 mm Hg.
- Cholesterol. Too much LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in your blood can cause blockages in your blood vessels. Ask your doctor what your cholesterol level should be.
- Smoking. Along with diabetes, smoking narrows your blood vessels. If you stop smoking, you’ll lower your risk of heart disease as well as heart attack, stroke, and other health issues.
When to see a doctor
If you have diabetes and are experiencing heart disease symptoms such as pain or pressure in your chest, shortness of breath, or fatigue, you should see your doctor right away.
They may recommend making lifestyle changes and eating a healthy diet. They may also prescribe medications. These recommendations could save your life.
Now that you have a better understanding of the connection between heart disease and diabetes, it’s time to take action.
Whenever possible, eat healthy, stay active, and do your best to manage your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
Having diabetes doesn’t mean you’ll also develop other conditions, such as heart disease.
You have the power to manage your own risk factors and improve your heart health through lifestyle changes and working with your doctor to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Keep Heart attack at bay
