Individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes are likely to be at risk of suffering from other health problems. These include cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which refers to diseases that mainly affect the heart and blood vessels [1]. Globally, roughly 1 in 3 individuals with Type 2 diabetes also suffer from some form of CVD [2]. What’s worse, diabetes patients are also nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke [1].
Fortunately, there are a few steps that patients can take to keep diabetes in check and lower their risk of suffering heart disease. However, it is advisable for patients to first understand how diabetes can put them at risk of this deadly disease before proceeding to incorporate a particular treatment modality.
How Does Diabetes Put You at an Increased Risk of CVD?
High blood sugar levels that are associated with diabetes can cause damage to the blood vessels and increase the viscosity of the blood leading to hypertension. It can also deprive the heart of necessary oxygen and nutrients, as diabetes renders a patient’s body unable to use sugar properly [3]. As a result, ineffective management of diabetes can cause patients to suffer from additional health problems that may put them at risk of suffering CVD including heart disease and stroke.
Poor diabetes management can also lead to an excess of “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in a patient’s bloodstream which, in turn, can cause inflammation and plaque formation – atherosclerosis occurs. When combined with high triglyceride (a type of fat in your blood) levels and low “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, it can worsen the arteriosclerosis causing a narrowing and hardening of the arteries, limiting the blood supply to vital organs. Even worse, ruptured plaque can cause thrombosis leading to fatal heart disease or stroke [3,4].
Apart from that, there are a few other factors which can put diabetes patients at risk of suffering from CVD. These include cigarette smoking, being obese or overweight, a lack of physical activity, eating foods that are unhealthy and excessive consumption of alcohol [4].
Lifestyle Changes You Can Make To Better Manage Your Diabetes and Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
To better manage diabetes and reduce the risk of heart disease, a good healthy diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and whole grains is one of the key essential lifestyle changes.
Regular exercise, too, can help to promote higher sensitivity towards insulin – a hormone that allows cells in a patient’s body to use blood sugar for energy – and regulate their blood sugar levels. The practice of stress management techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, as well as social support from family members or friends can also help to keep one’s blood pressure in check [1].
Apart from lifestyle changes, it is also important to ensure that patients with diabetes adheres to their medication regimen and takes their medicines as per the prescribed quantity and schedule. In this regard, the availability of newer, more innovative anti-diabetic medications may not only help in controlling their blood glucose levels, but also other more holistic outcomes such as weight control and a reduced risk of suffering a CVD.
One such innovation is glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which mimic the action of natural GLP-1 hormones in the body to provide more than just effective glycaemic control. GLP-1 RA can be administered from once-daily to even once-weekly, and offer additional benefits such as healthy weight loss and protection against cardiovascular diseases.
Available in multi-use or single-use, disposable pen devices, GLP-1 RAs are responsible for stimulating fullness, preventing patients with diabetes from overeating and gaining weight. GLP-1RAs also help to slow down the progress of food into the intestine, which in turn, keeps an after-meal sugar spike from occurring [5,6] . GLP-1RAs can lower post-prandial free fatty acids and CVD biomarkers, and may help to inhibit plaque progression and promote plaque stability [7]. Altogether, GLP-1RAs provide robust control of glucose with a low risk of hypoglycemia, reduction of body weight, and a decrease in CV events and rates of CV death, providing an important and potentially life-saving therapeutic option for people with diabetes.
Ultimately, your doctor is the most trusted source for advice and guidance on how to manage your condition effectively. At the same time, early detection is also a key prevention measure. As such, having regular screening and health checks – irrespective of whether you are at risk of developing, or already have diabetes – can help you keep a finger on the pulse when it comes to the condition, and achieve a better quality of life.
Indeed, the reality that diabetes increases your risk of suffering from heart disease may seem too scary to fathom. That said, if you manage to stay disciplined and take the right steps in keeping your risk factors under control, you will be able to keep the disease at bay and improve your overall quality of life.
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