If you have diabetes, you should definitely think about your heart health. Although many people don't know it, there is a very close connection between diabetes and heart disease. In fact, a person with diabetes is more than twice as likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Heart disease is especially common among people with Type 2 Diabetes.
Why are people with diabetes at such a high risk of heart disease?
This is not just a story. This has been proven by research done over a long period of time. Think about it, this connection was first clearly discovered through large studies like the 'Framingham Study', which looked at people's health over generations. It showed that diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease.
In addition to diabetes, there are other factors that increase the risk of heart disease. They are:
- High Blood Pressure
- Smoking
- Increased blood cholesterol levels
- If someone in the family has had heart disease at a young age (Family History)
Simply put, as these risk factors increase, the likelihood of developing heart disease increases. This risk increases two to four times for someone with diabetes.
Think about it this way. There's someone who doesn't have diabetes, but has had a heart attack before. There's someone who has diabetes, but has never had a heart attack before. Research has shown that both of them have almost the same risk of having another heart attack! That means having diabetes puts you at a huge risk for your heart.
How does diabetes affect the heart?
The main reason is that the artery walls gradually thicken and narrow. We medically call this atherosclerosis .
Simply put, this is when bad cholesterol in the blood builds up on the inside of the blood vessels (arteries) that supply blood to the heart. It's like rust building up inside an old water pipe. Over time, this layer of cholesterol (plaque) thickens and narrows the blood vessels.
If this cholesterol plaque suddenly bursts, the body tries to repair it. Platelets gather there and form a blood clot. However, if this blood clot gets stuck inside an already narrowed blood vessel, the blood flow to the heart is completely blocked, causing a heart attack .
If this same process occurs in the vessels supplying blood to the brain, it can cause a stroke , and if it occurs in the vessels supplying blood to the limbs, it can cause peripheral vascular disease .
In addition to heart disease, people with diabetes are also at increased risk of developing a condition called heart failure . This is when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body. This can cause the lungs to fill with fluid, making it difficult to breathe, and causing swelling in the legs.
What symptoms should you watch out for?
It is very important to be aware of heart disease early. Be aware of the symptoms below.
| Type of symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Chest pain or tightness (especially with exertion) |
| Difficulty breathing | |
| Dizziness, fainting | |
| Pain in the left arm, shoulder, or jaw area | |
| Excessive sweating for no reason | |
| Nausea | |
| Symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease | |
| Symptoms of decreased blood flow to the limbs | Intermittent claudication (lameness in the legs, especially in the groin area) when walking |
| Cold feet | |
| Decreased or absent pulse in the feet | |
| Decreased hair growth on legs | |
| Thinning of the fatty layer under the skin of the feet | |
Very important: Chest pain does not always occur with a heart attack. Heart attacks can occur without pain, especially in women and people with diabetes. If you have any of these symptoms, do not delay a second and see your doctor immediately, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What should we do to protect the heart? (Treatment and Prevention)
The best thing to do is to prevent heart disease before it occurs. And if you have symptoms, seek treatment early. This may require lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes even surgery.
Things to do for prevention and control
- Control your blood sugar levels: Keep them as normal as possible. This can be achieved through diet, exercise, and taking medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- Control blood pressure: The goal for someone with diabetes should be to keep it below 130/80 mmHg.
- Control your cholesterol levels: The goal should be to keep your bad cholesterol (LDL) below 100 mg/dL. This may also require medication.
- Control your weight: If you are overweight, it is very important to lose it. Fat, especially around the belly, is very harmful to the heart.
- Exercise regularly: Do a simple exercise like brisk walking for at least 30-45 minutes a day.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet: Ask your doctor about things like the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet.
- Quit smoking completely: Smoking is one of the biggest causes of heart disease.
- Reduce stress: Try yoga and meditation to reduce daily stress.
Talk to your doctor and come up with a plan that works for you. It's also important to have regular medical checkups.
Take-Home Message
- Having diabetes means that the risk of developing heart disease is significantly increased.
- Check your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels regularly and keep them under control.
- A healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight control are essential.
- If you smoke, quit today. It's the best gift you can give your heart.
- Be aware of any suspicious symptoms, such as chest pain and difficulty breathing. If this occurs, seek medical advice immediately.
- Stay in touch with your doctor and never be afraid to talk about your health.
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