Understanding the Connection Between Heart Disease and Diabetes

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