The doctor may have told you that you have diabetes, or 'sugar disease' as we all know it. We often think that diabetes is just a problem with blood sugar levels. But in fact, it affects many organs in our body, especially our heart, more than we think. That is why a person with diabetes should always take care of their heart. There are several special tests that help the doctor know if your heart is healthy and if there is any risk. Let's talk about what they are today.
Why does diabetes affect the heart?
Simply put, when blood sugar levels are uncontrolled and high over a period of time, it damages our blood vessels. Just like rust builds up inside a water pipe, the walls of our blood vessels gradually thicken, become hard, and begin to become clogged with fat (cholesterol). We call this condition Atherosclerosis . When the blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) become clogged in this way, the heart muscle does not get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. This is what paves the way for serious conditions like heart attacks and strokes .
Therefore, if you have diabetes, it is essential to control your blood sugar and also regularly monitor your heart health.
Major heart tests you may need
Your doctor may recommend one or more of these tests depending on your condition. There is no reason to be afraid of this. These tests are used to identify any problems early and begin the necessary treatment.
| Test Name | What do you do with this? | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Pressure Check | Measuring the pressure exerted by blood on the walls of your blood vessels as it flows. Something that is often done when you go to the clinic. | You can find out if you have high blood pressure. |
| ECG (Electrocardiogram) | A painless, simple test that records the electrical activity (beating rhythm) of the heart. | Things like heart rhythm abnormalities, symptoms of a heart attack, and decreased blood flow to the heart muscle. |
| Echocardiogram (Echo) | An ultrasound scan of the heart. It creates an image of the heart and checks its function. | The function of the heart's chambers, valves, and the efficiency with which the heart pumps blood. |
| Exercise Stress Test (Treadmill Test) | Monitoring your heart activity (ECG) while you walk or run on a treadmill. | Whether the heart muscle is getting enough blood during exercise, or whether there is any blockage in the blood vessels. |
| Coronary Angiogram | A small tube (catheter) is inserted into a vein in the arm or leg and used to examine the blood vessels using X-rays, injecting a dye into them. | To know exactly how many and where the blood vessels in the heart are blocked. |
A little more about these tests
- Controlling blood pressure: High blood pressure is a very dangerous enemy for someone with diabetes. When these two are combined, the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease doubles or triples. Therefore, it is imperative to control your blood pressure by taking the medication prescribed by your doctor and reducing your salt intake.
- Carotid Ultrasound: The carotid arteries are the two main blood vessels that carry blood from the sides of our neck to the brain. Diabetes can cause fatty deposits to build up in these arteries, which is a major cause of stroke. This simple, painless scan can check the condition of these arteries.
- CT Scan and Calcium Score: This checks for calcium deposits in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This is similar to the build-up of calcium in old water pipes. An increase in this calcium level means that the arteries are gradually hardening and narrowing. This score can give the doctor an idea of your risk of having a heart attack in the future.
- Holter Monitor: Sometimes you may feel a sudden fluttering in your chest or chest pain, but it may go away when you go to the doctor. That's when this is used. This is a small ECG machine that you can wear for a day or two. It continuously records your heart's activity while you go about your normal daily activities.
What should you do?
The most important thing is to maintain regular contact with your doctor.
1. Go to clinics on time: Attend diabetes clinics, heart clinics (if necessary) on time. Keep all your test reports in order.
2. Take your medications exactly as prescribed: Never skip a single dose of your diabetes, blood pressure, or cholesterol medications. They are like a shield that protects your heart.
3. Don't ignore symptoms: If you have symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden heavy sweating, or dizziness, seek medical advice immediately. If necessary, do not delay going to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
4. Change your lifestyle: If you smoke, quit today. Eat a balanced diet, avoid foods high in sugar and fat. Exercise daily. These things are better for your heart than medications.
Living with diabetes can be challenging, but with the right knowledge, following your doctor's advice, and a healthy lifestyle, you can protect your heart and live a long, healthy life.
Take-Home Message
- Diabetes is not just a disease limited to blood sugar; it directly affects your heart.
- Don't be afraid of tests such as ECG, Echo, and Stress Test that your doctor recommends; by doing them, you can identify the risk of heart disease early.
- Taking the right medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol is essential to protecting your heart.
- If you experience symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, never ignore them and seek medical advice immediately.
- Maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle is the best way to control both diabetes and heart disease.
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