Heart disease is a major health problem that affects a lot of people. In the United States, it is the top cause of death for both men and women. If you have diabetes, you have a younger onset of heart disease and a higher risk of having a stroke than people who do not have diabetes, even if they live at a similar age. If you have diabetes for a long period of time, your risk of developing heart disease increases.
The good news from a medical clinic in Abu Dhabi is that by modifying certain aspects of your lifestyle, you can reduce the likelihood of developing heart disease and enhance the health of your heart. Making those adjustments can assist you in better managing your diabetes.
The Impact That Diabetes Has On Your Heart
If you have high blood sugar for an extended period of time, it might harm your blood vessels as well as the nerves that control your heart. People who have diabetes have an increased likelihood of having additional illnesses that boost the risk for heart disease, including the following:
The force of blood as it travels through your arteries is increased when your blood pressure is high, which can be harmful to the arterial walls. If you have diabetes as well as high blood pressure, your chance of developing heart disease is significantly increased.
Plaque can develop on the inside of your arteries if your bloodstream contains an excessive amount of the “bad” LDL cholesterol.
It is believed that having high levels of triglycerides (a form of fat found in the blood), low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, or high levels of LDL cholesterol can contribute to the hardening of the arteries.
There are no symptoms associated with any of these illnesses. Your doctor will be able to examine your blood pressure and perform a straightforward blood test to determine whether or not your levels of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides are abnormally high.
These other risk factors can also increase your likelihood of developing heart disease:
- Tobacco use
- Being overly heavy or suffering from obesity
- Lack of participation in sufficient physical activity
- Consuming a diet that is high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium (salt), among other unhealthy substances
- Consuming an unsafe amount of alcohol
People who have diabetes also have an increased risk of developing heart failure. If you have heart failure, it does not mean that your heart has stopped beating; rather, it indicates that your heart is unable to pump blood effectively. This is a significant condition. This can cause swelling in your legs as well as fluid accumulation in your lungs, which can make it difficult for you to breathe. It is typical for heart failure to get worse over time; however, having an accurate diagnosis and beginning therapy as soon as possible can help alleviate symptoms and prevent or postpone the illness from getting worse.
Be kind to your own beating heart.
These adjustments to your lifestyle can help reduce your risk of heart disease or prevent it from growing worse, in addition to assisting you in managing your diabetes:
- Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. Increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and grains that are whole that you eat. Eat fewer processed meals (such as chips, candy, and fast food), and try to stay away from foods that contain trans-fat. Increase the amount of water you drink and cut back on sugary drinks as well as alcohol.
- Strive to maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, decreasing even a small amount of weight will help reduce the amount of triglycerides and sugar in your blood. A healthy amount of weight reduction is between five and seven percent of total body weight or roughly ten to fourteen pounds for an individual who weighs 200 pounds.
- Get some exercise. Your body will become more responsive to insulin, which is the hormone that allows cells in your body to use blood sugar for energy when you engage in physical activity. This makes it easier for you to control your diabetes. In addition, regular exercise can assist in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and reduce the likelihood of developing heart disease. Make it a goal to complete at least 150 minutes worth of physical activity every week at a moderate intensity, such as brisk walking.
Take care of your A-B-Cs:
A: Have an A1C test performed on a regular basis to determine your average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months; work towards remaining within your goal range as much as is practically practicable.
B: Aim to maintain a blood pressure reading that is lower than 140/90 mm Hg (or the goal that your physician has established for you).
C: Keep careful tabs on your blood cholesterol levels.
s: Either quit smoking now or never start.
Take care of your tension. The physical effects of stress include an increase in blood pressure as well as an increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviours such as binge eating or drinking to excess. Instead, seek the assistance of a mental health counselor, try meditating or practicing deep breathing, engage in some form of physical activity, or reach out to loved ones and friends for support.
Your doctor from medical clinic in Abu Dhabi may also prescribe medications that can assist in maintaining blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels that are close to the values that have been shown to be optimal for you.