After being diagnosed with diabetes, many people work on improving their health to decrease the likelihood of complications. Kidney disease, skin disorders, blindness and foot problems are well-known complications of the condition. However, there is another risk that often hides in the background, unbeknownst to the patient.
Heart disease and stroke are major complications associated with diabetes, yet nearly 70% of people with diabetes aren’t aware of the connection between heart attack, stroke and diabetes.* Because people with diabetes often experience high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels along with other health problems, they are at an increased risk of developing arterial disease – a condition that can ultimately lead to a stroke or heart attack. Although this may seem dire, the long-term outlook for diabetics can be positive if risk factors are managed properly.
A Heart-to-Heart Matter
If you’re wondering how diabetes affects your heart, here’s how: A spike in blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol can harm your blood vessels by making it easier for fat deposits to cling to the arteries. Arteries and blood vessels can become blocked, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Fortunately, there are strategies for warding off arterial disease.
One of the first steps in determining whether you are at risk for diabetes complications is to assess your overall health. If you smoke, drink heavily and/or eat poorly, your health may be at risk. These factors can harm anyone’s health, but are especially dangerous for a person with diabetes. Making changes to your lifestyle takes effort, but can greatly reduce complications. To help maintain heart health, the American Diabetes Association suggests following the ABCs of diabetes care.
Lower your Hemoglobin A1C. Keeping your Hemoglobin A1C (a blood test that indicates how your blood sugar control has been over the past three months) below 7% can help prevent complications.
Monitor blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. If your doctor tells you it’s high, you may need to work on reducing stress or following an exercise routine. Medication may also be an option for getting blood pressure under control.
Tackle bad cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is unhealthy for your heart. This type of cholesterol can lead to fat build-up in your arteries, increasing the chance that you’ll develop cardiovascular disease. By lowering your cholesterol, you can help keep your heart in working order.
On the Right Path
If you have diabetes and are concerned about your risk for heart attack or stroke, talk to your physician. Your health care provider can help monitor your diabetes and suggest ways to improve your health.
Learn how to live healthy with diabetes. Research your questions at: http://living-healthy-with-diabetes-swicki.eurekster.com/
* Source: Mayo Clinic.com.
Related Articles
Top 5 Health Risks for Women
By: Diabetes Info | 28/02/2007 | Women's Issues
Only 13% of American women feel they are personally at risk for heart disease, although it continues to claim more lives than the next six causes of death combined.*
Heart Disease - The Shocking Truth
By: Michael Sheridan | 28/11/2006 | Advice
Heart disease is the western world's biggest killer. It is closely followed by stroke. In fact overall around 90% of westerners have at least one modifiable risk factor for heart, stroke and vascular diseases and 25% have three or more risk factors.
Father's Day Fitness - Why Every Dad Should Hill Sprint
By: Tim Kauppinen | 11/06/2007 | Fitness
Father of 5, speed, strength and conditioning coach Tim Kauppinen shares the number one way to exercise for fat loss, muscle building, increasing stamina plus spending more quality time with your kids.
Women: are you at Risk for Heart Attack?
By: Sarah Taylors | 19/12/2007 | Women's Health
This article shares several critical facts on the prevalence of heart disease among women. In addition, it also explains the warning signs of heart attack that every woman should know.
Biosignia Announces Joint Marketing Agreement With Hooper Holmes
By: Alison Kramer | 25/09/2007 | Health
BioSignia, maker of next generation preventive health solutions, today announced a joint marketing agreement with the Health & Wellness Division of Hooper Holmes, Inc (AMEX:HH).
Inflammation: The New Medical "Bad Guy"
By: Bruce Bailey, Ph.d. | 08/05/2006 | Health
Inflammation is "one of the bad guys." You need to get it under control, but don't jump from the "frying pan into the fire" by treating your condition with a "badder guy." Eat right, exercise regularly, have your blood work done once a year, and listen to your doctor's advice. May I also suggest you find a natural food supplement to treat your inflammation, rather than just reaching for the pill bottle?
3 "little White Lies" Women Should Never Tell Their Dotor
By: Myla Madson | 25/01/2008 | Women's Health
Women do a funny thing when they feel guilty. They tell little white lies. It's the lesser of two evils, but if you are talking with your doctor, you better shoot straight with her. Feeling guilty about some of the choices you make in your life could be the least of your worries, ecspecially if you tell your doctor one of these little fibs:
You Don't Have to Suffer While Living
By: Lori Jones | 20/07/2008 | Nutrition
We all will move on from this life, while we are present in this life we can avoid much of the suffering; the suffering that accompanies our life is rarely necessary. The increase of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and even arthritis as well as a host of many other common ailments can often be avoided, cured or greatly decreased by getting back to the basics and embracing nature rather than overcoming it.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Despite many physical differences between men and ...
By: din | 18-10-2007
Despite many physical differences between men and women (men stronger than women), then on what basis do some people allege that there is no difference between the two?
Bra Detects and seperates Tumors
By: Judy | 16-10-2007
Can this bra really detect cancer? If we're taking the one of every nine women will have (or already has) breast cancer, this means 5% of the world population would buy this bra.That's pretty big, but would you buy this?
Alzheimer's disease diagnose with a simple blood test
By: vena_cava | 16-10-2007
I've recently read about the pathbreaking research done in Stanford, that will enable doctors diagnose Alzheimer's disease with a simple blood test.So far for diagnosing, but what about curing this awful disease? aren't there any breakthroughs in finding a medication for it?
Cupcakes for a Cause
By: josh101 | 16-10-2007
Where can I get a list of bakeries participating in Cupcakes for a Cause?
What are some good, natural remedies for getting ...
By: blue234 | 15-10-2007
What are some good, natural remedies for getting rid of excessive wrinkles?
I have a pain in the middle of my chest feels like ...
By: kefalonitis | 14-10-2007
I have a pain in the middle of my chest feels like a bad bruise and I also when I look down with my head the pain goes to my mid back? I haven't done anything stranuess cause this ?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Diseases and Conditions Articles
Encouraging Your Parent With Hearing Loss To Get A Hearing Aid
By: Gemma-Leigh Garner | 05/09/2008
There are many emotions and difficult social situations for a person suffering from hearing loss, and many times their adult children are the first to notice the problem. Although it is difficult, it's important for adults to do the proper research & encourage their parents with hearing loss to see an audiologist.
Causes of Hearing Loss and How Hearing Aids Can Help
By: Gemma-Leigh Garner | 05/09/2008
This article explains the causes of hearing loss. It also explains how a hearing aid works and outlines some of the options you have in chosing a hearing aid.
Your IBS To Do List
By: Sharon James | 05/09/2008
If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, here is a short list of the most important steps you can make to improve your health.
Any Reason Why You Have a Recurring Sinus Infection
By: Wangeci Kinyanjui | 05/09/2008
Faulty immune systems is also another reason enough to cause a recurring sinus infection. Whenever a person's immunity is low, it is in no position to fight off infections as required by the body. For this reason, different types of sinus infections most of them being allergy sinus infections are able to attack the body as often as they can since there are no enough white blood cells and antibodies to fight them in the body.
Know How to Treat a Sinus Infection With Much Ease
By: Wangeci Kinyanjui | 05/09/2008
For those of you who always wonder on how to treat a sinus infection caused by structural abnormalities in the respiratory tract, well wonder no more because the appropriate way to do this is by undergoing a sinus surgery. The surgery allows the surgeons to correct or remove any defective structure in the respiratory tract responsible for the sinus infection.
Effective Natural Remedies For Vaginal Yeast Infections
By: Jennifer King | 05/09/2008
If over the counter treatments no longer work, or you would like to cure your vaginal yeast infection without anti fungal drugs then a natural remedy could be the answer.
Ways To Get Self Help For Scizophrenia
By: Ronen David | 05/09/2008
Schizophrenia usually occurs because of genetic factors. In some cases, very early damage to the developing fetus and some biochemical abnormalities in the brain can also trigger schizophrenia
Diabetic Recipes
By: Jhye | 05/09/2008
Diabetes is a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is essentially a hormone that converts sugar, starches and other food into energy that is require for us to function daily. Although the causes of diabetes have yet to be determined, it is attributed both to genetics and environmental factors, primarily obesity and lack of exercise.
More from Diabetes Info
Simple Ways to Stay Healthier This Spring
By: Diabetes Info | 20/03/2007 | Wellness
It’s hard to stay healthy during the cooler months. Everyone from your kids to your co-workers seems to be sniffling, coughing and sneezing.
Skin Care and the Secrets to Aging Gracefully
By: Diabetes Info | 20/03/2007 | Nutrition
America is a youth-obsessed culture, no matter how you look at it, and no one over 30 wants to look or feel their age. While there is no fountain of youth, there are simple steps you can take to keep your youthful appearance and outlook as you grow older.
Stay Healthy at Any Age
By: Diabetes Info | 07/03/2007 | Diseases and Conditions
Searching for information about diabetes on major search engines like Google and Yahoo can be a daunting task. Too many unrelated topics make a search time-consuming. This search tool is dedicated to diabetes.
Living With Diabetes? Take Good Care of your Feet
By: Diabetes Info | 07/03/2007 | Diseases and Conditions
Living with diabetes means being aware of how it can affect everyaspect of your health, including your feet. Healthy feet do more than help you walk and move; they help keep out infections that maycompromise your overall health.
Top 5 Health Risks for Women
By: Diabetes Info | 28/02/2007 | Women's Issues
Only 13% of American women feel they are personally at risk for heart disease, although it continues to claim more lives than the next six causes of death combined.*
Stroke: Know the Warning Signs
By: Diabetes Info | 28/02/2007 | Diseases and Conditions
Each year approximately 700,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke in the United States.*More than 163,000 of these people die, making stroke the third-leadingcause of death.*
Aid Turturro: ‘sopranos’ Star Puts a Hit on Diabetes
By: Diabetes Info | 28/02/2007 | Nutrition
Interview with Aida Turturro who lives healthy with diabetes. The actress, who was initially diagnosed in 2001, knew it was time to get her blood sugars under control.
Diabetes Search Engine for your Site
By: Diabetes Info | 26/01/2007 | Diseases and Conditions
Looking for interesting content to add to your health site? Add this search engine tailored to diabetes.
Health 
