Connection Between Diabetes and Heart Disease

While diabetes itself is a heart disease risk factor, people with diabetes often have other conditions that contribute to their risk, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Nerve damage and blood vessel damage that often result from diabetes can even cause “silent heart attacks” — heart attacks you may not realize you’re experiencing, because you don’t feel the expected chest pain. Lifestyle factors, such as a lack of physical activity, poorly managed diabetes and smoking, also increase a person’s risk.

Central obesity, meaning you carry excess weight at your waist, rather than around your hips, is common among people with Type 2 diabetes. Because research has shown that abdominal fat promotes the production of so-called “bad” cholesterol, this greatly increases heart disease risk.

Staying physically active is important to reducing your risk of heart disease. By getting your body moving and burning calories, you’ll have a much easier time maintaining a healthy weight. If you have concerns about what kind of activity is best for you, ask your doctor.

Swapping high-fat food items for fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins is another way to reduce your risk. Also, if you smoke, quitting is vital — your heart rate and blood pressure drop just 20 minutes after you quit, and just one year later, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker.

If you suffer from or are at risk for diabetes, manage your risk factors. Knowing your diabetes ABCs — levels that you should have checked regularly by your doctor — can help.

• A is for A1C — The A1C test measures your level of hemoglobin A1C, and reveals your average blood glucose level over the past three months. Have this checked at least twice a year.
• B is for blood pressure — Blood pressure tests measure how hard your heart is working. The higher your blood pressure is, the harder your heart has to work to properly pump blood. Get this checked at each doctor visit.
• C is for cholesterol — Specifically, check out your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is the “bad” kind. In too-high amounts, LDL can cause arteries to clog, raising risk of stroke or heart attack. Get this checked at least once a year.

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