Diabetes and Cardiology:
People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease as people without diabetes.
How Diabetes Affects Heart Health:
High blood glucose levels over time can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control the heart of people with diabetes, they are also more likely to develop other conditions that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease such as:
- High blood pressure causes an increase in the power of blood pumping through the arteries, which leads to arterial damage, so having high blood pressure and diabetes can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- High LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream leads to the formation of plaques on damaged artery walls.
- High triglycerides and low good cholesterol (HDL) contribute to atherosclerosis.
- Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and it has been strongly associated with insulin resistance.
Factors that increase the risk of cardiology in diabetic patients:
- Smoking puts people at higher risk of cardiology and stroke whether or not they have diabetes.
- An unhealthy diet (e.g., diet rich in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium “salt”)
- Physical inactivity.
- Drinking alcohol.
To keep your heart healthy:
The best way is to control your diabetes by:
- Maintaining blood glucose level (blood glucose) level in target ranges.
- Following a healthy diet.
- Maintaining physical activity and exercise.
- Take insulin and medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- Checking HbA1c, (LDL) low-density fats and blood pressure frequently.
- Weight management in the case of overweight or obesity, as losing weight by 5 to 10% of the total body weight leads to health benefits (such as improving blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels).
- Stress management, stress hormones can lead to high blood pressure and make managing diabetes more difficult.
- Get enough sleep (6-8 hours) to reduce stress hormones.
- Maintaining regular follow-ups with the primary care team, visit the health coach's clinic at the center for more health awareness about diabetes and its management methods.
- Identifying and recording A1C, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol numbers through the Sehaty app for case-specific guidance and awareness.
At each visit to the health care center, the following must be considered:
- Blood pressure measurement.
- Discussing blood glucose meter readings with your doctor to ensure it is in the target ranges.
- Following up weight and talking about ways to reach a healthy weight.
- Talking about the current diet and what can be changed to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
- Discussing physical activity.
- If the person is a smoker, talk about ways to quit.
- Examine the feet.
- Talking about all medications taken including herbs, vitamins, and other dietary supplements.
- Ask any questions about diabetes care in the Health Coach session.
At the visit time from 3 to 6 months, care must be taken to:
A (A1C) test that expresses the average glucose readings in the last two or three months.
At the visit time of each year, care must be taken to:
Get eye examination through dilated pupils to check for eye problems, get a flu vaccine, and have a full foot examination.
At the visit time of every five years, care must be taken to:
Cholesterol level check, repeat check when measurements are outside target ranges.