How Diabetes can Affect the Heart

Diabetes is a medical condition where blood sugar levels are irregular because of little or no insulin production. This imbalance puts the patient at risk of many co-morbidities, including kidney damage, eye problems, cardiovascular diseases, periodontal problems and stroke. Mainly diabetes and heart disease co-exist. The most common type is coronary artery disease, which affects blood flow to the heart. It is caused by the buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries and the blood vessels that supply oxygen and blood to the heart. This decreased blood flow puts the patient at risk of stroke.

Diabetes and the heart:

The blood sugar levels over time can damage the blood vessels and muscles of the heart. People with diabetes may also face high blood pressure, bad cholesterol and high triglycerides. Heart disease risk can also be heightened by lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, bad diet and high alcohol consumption. Diabetic patients can also face heart failure. Adults with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease and stroke as adults without diabetes.

More concerning is that the healing in diabetic patients is quite delayed and not as smooth after heart failure, which can lead to recurrent heart failures and stroke chances. The nerve damage faced by diabetic adults is so severe that patients do not feel any chest pain until the disease is too advanced. They also may suffer "silent heart attacks" because of the lack of warning signs.

Diagnosis:

Doctors diagnose heart disease in diabetic patients through symptoms, medical and family history, their chances of heart disease, physical exam, and results from tests. Any symptoms like wheezing, fatigue, chest pain, increased heart rate, and difficulty breathing must be reported to your healthcare provider immediately. High levels of c-reactive protein in a routine blood test are a marker for higher risk.

How to prevent:

The first step is to prevent diabetes from ever happening. Adequate lifestyle changes and treatment methods can also help reverse diabetes. Lowering blood pressure with drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzymes, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers can reduce the risk of developing diabetes and its complications. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising, weight loss, diet, and regular medical examination can prevent further deterioration. Managing stress is also essential as it can affect blood sugar levels as well. Physical activity is extremely important for healthy blood sugar and heart. Moreover, getting enough sleep is also recommended for a healthy life.

Managing ABCs:

Getting a regular A1C test to measure your average blood sugar over 2 to 3 months, maintaining blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg, managing cholesterol levels and stopping smoking. Recent cardiac imaging techniques like advanced echocardiography, cardiac CT and MRI, bring hope that medical professionals will be able to detect diabetic heart disease earlier and prevent its serious consequences. Ongoing research is examining the effects of diabetes on the heart and developing treatment methods to avoid those effects. The goal is to limit the health risk to the heart.