Got diabetes?

Diabetes and heart disease

Patients with diabetes face a high risk of heart disease especially a heart attack. Ten years’ risk of getting a heart attack in a patient with uncomplicated diabetes is 20 per cent. Other problems often seen in diabetics are high blood pressure, kidney failure and brain strokes.

“Silent heart attack” is another peculiarity seen in diabetics. This is because of involvement of pain transmitting nerves due to uncontrolled diabetes. These people will not feel many sensations of touch, vibration, heat, cold or pain, and this may also include the expected pain of a heart attack.

The resulting vague — instead of acute— symptoms may be ignored, or passed off as indigestion or stomach upset. Other reasons for diabetics being more prone for heart attacks are:

•High cholesterol and triglyceride levels

•High blood pressure

•Increased coagulablity of blood

Early diagnosis and learning how to monitor and control the disease are key to avoiding complications down the road. Some experts suggest that the course of this disease can be changed when patients:

•Adopt a good attitude

•Are committed to learning about their condition and its treatment

•Make a conscious decision to control the disease

Symptoms of heart disease

The following are the most common symptoms of heart disease. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

•Chest discomfort

•Shortness of breath

•Very slow or fast pulse rate

•Episodes of unexplained unconsciousness

•Swollen feet

The symptoms of heart disease may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Preventing heart disease in diabetics

• Keep your blood sugar under control

Many diabetics check blood sugar level every day to make sure it is in the normal range. If not every day, a periodic assessment is necessary. By exercising often and eating a healthy diet, many people with Type 2 diabetes (the kind you’re not born with) can keep their blood sugar level nearly normal. Some may have to take medicines.

• Maintain proper weight

Diabetes, being overweight and heart disease often go together. Losing weight helps a lot of health problems — including high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Weight loss is important if you have a lot of extra weight around your waist and tummy. People who have fat around their waist are more at risk for heart disease than people who have extra weight around the hips or thighs. You don’t have to lose a huge amount. Losing even 5 kgs can help.

• Lower your cholesterol level

Cholesterol is present in fats and oils of animal origin, but it is not a fat. It is a part of many important body substances (like hormones) and body structures (including brain and nerves). But too much bad cholesterol (LDL) in your blood can clog your arteries.

•Eat a heart healthy diet (4 to 5 servings of fruits and leafy vegetables daily)

•Avoid high-fat diet (full cream milk products, excessive red meat etc)

•Regular intake of almonds and nuts (6 to 8 per day)

If diet alone doesn’t help, there are medicines, for which you can consult a doctor.

• Regular exercise

If you have changed your diet to lose weight, exercising can help you lose faster. You don’t need a gym.Brisk walking is good too. Climbing stairs instead of taking an elevator is another smart thing to do.

• Control your blood pressure

Diabetics have high blood pressure, which is a big risk factor for stroke. It also increases your risk for heart disease and kidney disease. t is also important not to drink too much alcohol. You need to keep their BP below 130/80 mms Hg at all costs. If diet and exercise does not help, you might have to take medicines.

• Quit smoking

Smoking is really bad for diabetics because it damages the blood vessels. It doubles your risk of heart disease. Worse, if you keep smoking while you try to lose extra weight, you won’t make any headway.

The author is Executive Director Cardiology Fortis Hospitals & Director Cardiology, Escorts Heart Research Institute