Let's fight heart failure: Small changes make a big difference!

Did you know that diabetes can be a bit of a challenge for your heart? Along with the damage it causes to your heart, the heart has to work harder than it should to pump blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the rest of your body. Over time, this strain can cause the heart to gradually weaken. In medical terms, this is called heart failure. But don’t panic. The best part is, you have a lot of power to control this condition, to control the symptoms before they get worse. You can start the fight with some simple, small changes you can make to your daily life.

Be well informed about your medication.

When you have both diabetes and heart failure, you may be taking a lot of medications. It's important to understand exactly how each of these medications can help your heart.

Some of the medications you take help your heart pump better. Some of the medications help relieve symptoms of heart failure, such as fluid buildup or shortness of breath. And there are other medications that help prevent the condition from getting worse.

So, how should we take care of this?

Check your blood sugar levels regularly.

One of the best things you can do for your heart is to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Think about it, when your blood sugar levels are high over time and insulin resistance develops, it causes inflammation in your body. This inflammation can damage your blood vessels, nerves, and heart muscle.

When you check your blood sugar regularly, you can see if it's consistently high. Then, before it becomes a big problem, talk to your doctor and make a small change in your medication, and it'll be easier to get it under control again. Your doctor will tell you how many times a day you should check your sugar.

Check your weight every morning.

One of the first and most important signs of heart failure is sudden weight gain for no apparent reason. This is because when the heart is not working properly, fluids start to accumulate in the body. So, weigh yourself every morning, after going to the bathroom and before breakfast.

Also, pay attention to your body. If you are having difficulty breathing, or if your legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen feel swollen, that is another important reason to inform your doctor immediately.

Should we get into the habit of adding some vegetables to our meals?

Adding more vegetables to your daily diet can also give your heart a big boost. The nutrients in vegetables fight inflammation, which we talked about earlier. This is very important for protecting your heart.

Simply put, inflammation is a process of small swellings that occur inside the body. Prolonged inflammation is linked to a number of diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. It can damage your blood vessels, clog arteries, and increase your risk of blood clots and heart attacks.

Vegetables like tomatoes, beets, kale, and spinach are full of vitamins and nutrients called antioxidants. These can protect your heart and blood vessels from inflammation. You can also get these nutrients from other foods.

Go to bed on time.

One of the most reliable ways to get the rest you need for a healthy heart is to maintain a regular sleep schedule . That means going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Sleep is the most valuable time your body gets to heal itself after a tiring day.

However, if you have heart failure, it can be a little difficult to get a good night's sleep. You may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing when lying down, or having to get up to urinate frequently. These things can make it difficult to get a comfortable, uninterrupted sleep.

If you have any of these symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor . They could be a sign that your heart condition is not well controlled. Some heart medications can also cause you to need to urinate frequently. If going to the bathroom is disrupting your sleep, ask your doctor if you can change the time you take your medication. Reducing the amount of fluids you drink in the evening and at night can also help.