If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you are at a high risk of developing a coronary disease or heart disease. Heart disease often affects circulation in the body, and poor circulation often makes diabetes worse. Studies show that most patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes eventually develop type 2 diabetes. On top of that, it is the number one cause of death in people with diabetes.
However, there is a way to prevent heart disease. With a proper diet, exercise, and diabetes management, you can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and all the other complications that come with it. Read on to learn what increases the chance of developing heart disease when you have diabetes.
What Are The Causes Of Heart Disease When You Have Diabetes?
Here are some risk factors that increase your chances of developing heart disease, whether you have diabetes or not.
Smoking
Smoking increases the chances of developing heart disease. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you should stop smoking because it leads to the narrowing of the blood vessels. Diabetes and smoking increase the chances of developing long-term issues other than heart disease, including ulcers, lower leg infections, lung disease, and foot or leg amputation.
Abnormal Cholesterol Levels In The Body
This is a type of fat that is produced by the liver and is found in the bloodstream. There are two types of cholesterol: HDL and LDL. LDL is a bad type of cholesterol that can clog your blood vessels when it clogs ups. High levels of LDL increase the chances of you developing heart disease.
However, HDL is linked to lowering the risk of developing heart disease and strokes. To maintain healthy levels of HDL and LDL, you should limit the amount of fat in your diet and eat plant-based foods while remaining physically active.
Triglycerides are also types of fats found in the body that can raise the chances of developing heart disease when the levels are higher than what is recommended by your healthcare provider
High Blood Pressure
When you have high blood pressure, your heart will work harder than usual to pump blood, thus straining the heart. It also leads to damaged blood vessels, increasing the chances of a heart attack, kidney problems, eye problems, or stroke. It is essential to keep tabs on your blood pressure and work with your healthcare provider to lower it to healthy ranges.
Belly Fat And Obesity
Obesity makes it hard to manage diabetes and increases the risk of developing other health complications, including high blood pressure and heart disease. If you are overweight, adopt healthy eating habits and ensure you increase your physical activity to lower your blood glucose levels.
Excess fat around the waist, even when not overweight, can also increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease
Family History Of Heart Disease
A family history of heart disease means you are predisposed to developing the condition. If you have one or more family members who have had a heart attack before 50, you are at a higher risk of developing the condition than people who do not have a family history.
You cannot choose whether or not heart disease runs in your family, but if you have diabetes, you can take extra steps to ensure that you protect yourself.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is closely linked to heart disease. This condition is characterized by damaged kidneys that cannot filter the blood as they should. Having diabetes increases the chances of developing kidney disease, affecting around 40% of people with diabetes.
Other factors that increase the chances of developing kidney disease include having a history of kidney failure in the family or high blood pressure. You can get tested early to protect your kidneys, make healthy food choices, aim for a healthy weight, and be more active.
You can lower your chance of developing heart disease by caring for your body once you discover diabetes. One of the ways is to ensure that you keep your blood sugar level at healthy ranges and your blood pressure below 140/90 mm HG. You will also need to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, including having enough sleep, a healthy eating plan, and a healthy weight.
