Functional Medicine | Get Healthy Now, Naturally | Alternative Health Information Functional Medicine | Get Healthy Now, Naturally | Alternative Health Information Functional Medicine | Get Healthy Now, Naturally | Alternative Health Information Functional Medicine | Get Healthy Now, Naturally | Alternative Health Information Your Medical Detective

Sweet hearts

Print Page

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in people with diabetes.

MOST people are aware that high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). But did you know that diabetes is one of the leading causes of heart attacks and stroke as well? More than 70% of people with poorly controlled diabetes may die from CVD.

In fact, if you have diabetes and do not take proper care of your ailment, you are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than people who do not have the disease.

And according to a large Finnish study, people with diabetes but without any previous history of heart attack were found to have as high a risk of getting a heart attack as people who do not have diabetes and a history of heart attacks.

This is because people with type 2 diabetes are most likely to have a condition called insulin resistance (especially if they have a big belly). Insulin resistance occurs when the body cannot use the insulin (a hormone produced by pancreas that is responsible for glucose uptake by the cells) effectively.

Besides a high level of blood glucose (diabetes), this metabolic dysfunction is also associated with abnormal blood lipid levels (dyslipidaemia) such as an elevated level of triglycerides (a component of body fat which could be converted to LDL or “bad” cholesterol) and a decreased level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol).

Not only that, people who have insulin resistance also have a tendency to develop high blood pressure (hypertension) that causes damage to blood vessels, which is another well known risk factor of CVD.

Atherosclerosis, a process in which deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol and other substances build up inside the artery walls, most often affects arteries in the heart, brain, kidneys and legs. Conditions associated with insulin resistance such as abnormal blood lipid levels and high blood pressure, coupled with smoking and obesity, double your risk of developing atherosclerosis (hardening of blood vessels), especially if your diabetes is not well controlled.

Atherosclerosis is a process in which deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol and other substances build up inside the artery walls, causing them to narrow and restrict blood supply. Atherosclerosis most often affects arteries in your heart, brain, kidneys and legs. Blockage of a blood vessel that feeds your heart may cause you to suffer a heart attack, and if a blood vessel that feeds your brain is blocked, you could experience a stroke.

This is why heart attacks and stroke are the two most common consequences in people with uncontrolled diabetes.

The good news is that this tendency to develop cardiovascular diseases can be prevented or reduced by good control of diabetes and other associated cardiovascular disease risk factors. Here are some important steps that you can take to reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Manage your blood glucose well

It is important to keep your blood glucose level within the recommended range (3.8 mmol/L to 6.1 mmol/L while fasting and below 7.8 mmol/L after food) at all times. Also always keep your HbA1c values at less than 6.5% (HbA1c is a measure of how good your blood glucose control has been over the last two to three months).

Glucose can bind with body proteins to form glycated products. If your diabetes is not well controlled and your high blood glucose level is high, more glycated products will form in your system, which can damage your heart and other organs. This is why keeping a tight control on your blood glucose level can help prevent damage to your heart.

Therefore, you should continue to eat sensibly and control your carbohydrate and sugar intake. You must also undertake regular physical activity (be more active), reduce excessive body weight and maintain it in the healthy range. Please do not forget to take your medication faithfully (if prescribed) and monitor your blood glucose regularly at home.

Manage your blood lipid levels

Maintaining a healthy balance of lipids is vital in preventing cardiovascular diseases. You should aim to keep your triglyceride level low (less than 1.7 mmol/L), LDL cholesterol level low (less than 2.6 mmol/L) and HDL cholesterol level high (over 1.02 mmol/L). You can help maintain a healthy lipid balance by:

Avoiding high cholesterol foods which tend to raise LDL levels, such as prawns, crabs, oysters, squids, egg yolk and offal (liver, kidney, intestines).

Limiting your total fat intake. Reduce fat from all sources including cooking oils and hidden fats from pastries and biscuits.

Restricting intake of saturated fats that are found mainly in animals, animal derived foods (for example, full cream milk, butter, cheese, meat fat) and also coconut milk (santan).

Taking more soluble fibre as it helps to reduce cholesterol absorption. Soluble fibre is mainly found in oats, barley and legumes.

Taking your lipid-lowering medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Be physically active and exercise regularly. Manage your blood pressure level

According to studies, if you have diabetes, your target blood pressure level should be much lower than 130/80 mmHg, irrespective of your age. A high blood pressure will strain your heart muscle and exert a lot of force onto the walls of your blood vessels. Your heart muscle will eventually become weak and your blood vessels will be damaged as well if no proper action is taken. You can help achieve your blood pressure target by:

Minimising sodium in your diet. Excess sodium in your diet can increase your blood pressure. Sources of sodium include table salt, soy sauce, monosodium glutamate (MSG), processed foods such as sausages and burger patties, preserved foods such as pickles and salted eggs, and canned foods.

Losing weight if overweight.

Taking high blood pressure medication as prescribed by your doctor.

Being physically active and exercising regularly.

Managing other risk factors of CVD.

Not smoking – Smoking damages your blood vessel walls, thus leading to atherosclerosis and CVD. So, if you are a smoker, make the effort to stop this bad habit immediately and for good.

Limiting alcohol intake – Alcohol can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. The standard recommendation for men is not more than two standard drinks a day, while women should not exceed one standard drink a day. Even if you have been practising a healthy lifestyle, do not assume that you do not need to see your doctor anymore or stop taking your medication anymore.

The truth is, you still need to go for regular check-ups to ensure that your blood glucose, lipids and blood pressure levels are well controlled and kept within the recommended ranges.

Your doctor may also find it necessary to perform some tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) and stress tests to ensure that your heart is healthy as heart disease in diabetics can be silent, producing no symptoms at times until sudden heart attack, stroke or sudden death occurs.

You should also be aware of heart disease symptoms such as chest pains, numbness or pains in the neck, up the jaw or down the arm when exercising or after meals.

Having a healthy heart enables you to lead a normal life. There are times when you do not get a second chance in life. So, care for your heart by managing your diabetes today. Remember even with diabetes, it is within your power for you to remain fit and healthy, just like everyone else.