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Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people around the world, but many are unaware of the impact it can have on heart health. Diabetes doesn’t just influence blood sugar levels; it can also dramatically increase the risk of heart disease. If you’re interested in managing both heart health and diabetes, then understanding the links between the two is a crucial step.
How Diabetes Affects the Heart
Diabetes, particularly Type 2, increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. When blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods, blood vessels and nerves, especially those surrounding the heart, are damaged. This damage increases the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and other related complications.
On World Diabetes Day, raising awareness of this hidden connection is important. Studies show that adults with diabetes are much more likely to develop heart disease than those without. Even more concerning, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for people with diabetes.
What Are the Heart Disease Risk Factors?
People with diabetes face some critical heart disease risk factors that are often linked to their condition.
High Blood Pressure
Diabetes often goes hand in hand with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This puts extra strain on the heart. Over time, high blood pressure can damage artery walls, leading to atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), which makes it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently.
High Cholesterol
Diabetes can lower ‘good’ HDL cholesterol levels while raising ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. This combination accelerates the build-up of fatty deposits in arteries, increasing the likelihood of heart disease.
Obesity
Many people with Type 2 diabetes are also living with overweight or obese, which is another big heart disease risk factor. Extra body fat, particularly around the abdomen, increases insulin resistance and inflammation, both of which can contribute to cardiovascular complications.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Lack of regular physical activity is a well-known heart disease risk factor, especially in those with diabetes. Exercise helps manage blood sugar levels and improves heart health by lowering blood pressure, controlling weight, and reducing cholesterol.
Smoking
Smoking is bad for anyone’s heart, but for those with diabetes, the risk skyrockets. Smoking narrows blood vessels and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke by making it harder for blood to circulate.
Insulin and the Heart: What You Need to Know
Managing diabetes often involves taking insulin to help regulate your blood sugar levels. For many, insulin is a life-saving treatment, but there are some insulin side effects that can impact the heart. Knowledge of these side effects can help those with diabetes work with their healthcare professionals to minimise risk.
Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
One of the most common insulin side effects is hypoglycaemia, where blood sugar levels drop too low. Severe hypoglycaemia can cause irregular heart rhythms and even lead to heart failure in extreme cases.
Weight Gain
Many people experience weight gain after they start insulin therapy. Extra weight puts additional strain on the heart, worsening the heart disease risk factors we mentioned earlier. This can lead to an increased risk of hypertension and higher cholesterol levels.
Fluid Retention
Some types of insulin can occasionally cause fluid retention, leading to swelling (oedema) in the legs and feet. If someone is already at risk of heart failure, this side effect can make the condition worse as the heart needs to work harder to pump fluid around the body.
While insulin is absolutely essential for managing diabetes, it’s important to stay informed about the potential insulin side effects and to manage them with the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Managing Heart Health and Diabetes Together
Firstly, it’s important to recognise that managing diabetes goes further than blood sugar control. A proactive approach to heart health can prevent or reduce the severity of cardiovascular complications.
If you have diabetes, take the time to educate yourself about how it might affect your heart and work with your healthcare provider to reduce your risks. Making even small changes to your lifestyle, like increasing physical activity and improving your diet, can help protect your heart in the long run.
Get Regular Check-Ups
Given the overlap between diabetes and heart disease, managing both conditions requires regular monitoring. Blood sugar control, blood pressure, cholesterol, and general heart health are all things to keep an eye on.
Regular appointments with a healthcare professional are a great way to ensure early detection and treatment of any cardiovascular concerns.
Building Knowledge is Crucial for Better Heart Health
At WEL Medical, raising awareness about heart health is one of our key commitments. Education around cardiovascular well-being, as well as training equipment and early interventions like defibrillators, all play key roles in strengthening the chain of survival.
Our dedication to making a difference is about ensuring that people, workplaces, and communities are equipped with the knowledge and tools to take control of their heart health. For more information about how we’re leading the way in emergency response and health education, get in touch with us today.
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