If you have diabetes, you have twice the risk of a heart attack as someone who doesn’t have it. The risk for cardiovascular disease — including heart failure — is even more pronounced if you have type 2 diabetes.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease that seems to be driven mostly by genetics, type 2 diabetes is an acquired disease. In most instances, women, men, and children with type 2 diabetes have other conditions that also raise their risk for heart failure, such as obesity and high blood pressure.
Although Dr. Ola Akinboboye is an expert cardiologist, many of his patients have diabetes. At Laurelton Heart Specialists in Rosedale, Queens, New York, he encourages you to manage your disease and take steps to keep your heart healthy.
What are some of the best strategies for heart health if you have diabetes? The following are six essential tips.
Chronically elevated blood glucose causes inflammation in your blood vessels that can lead to the accumulation of fat-based plaques. The plaques and inflammation make your blood vessels narrow and stiff, putting you at risk for heart failure or a heart attack.
If you haven’t been able to control your glucose levels through diet and exercise alone, consider discussing medication options with your doctor. Metformin and other drugs may help your body become less insulin resistant, allowing it to utilize dietary glucose for energy instead of letting it accumulate in your blood vessels.
Your blood glucose levels aren’t the only numbers you need to mind to protect your heart. Insulin resistance is linked to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure (HBP) can lead to heart failure. If you don’t know whether you have HBP, please schedule a consultation. Known as the “silent killer,” HBP has no symptoms.
If you’re diagnosed with HBP, you must keep tabs on your pressure by monitoring yourself at home. Also, be sure to take any medications we give you to control your blood pressure.
Keeping your cholesterol under control is also essential with diabetes. Your blood vessels are already at risk for damage due to high glucose levels and inflammation. Cholesterol can build up in your vessel walls, leading to plaques that narrow them and increase your risk for a heart attack. You may need to take statins to lower your levels.
If you’re obese or even overweight, you may already be at increased risk for heart failure or a heart attack. Extra fat puts stress on your heart and may also slow down your circulation.
Switch to a healthier diet that emphasizes fresh, whole foods such as vegetables and high-quality proteins. Be sure to exercise regularly as part of your weight-loss regimen. You may also benefit from weight-loss drugs, including the GLP-1 agonists, such as semaglutide.
Whether you need to lose weight or not, incorporating movement and exercise into your routine is essential. “Use it or lose it” applies to your heart, too.
The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week. Or, you can combine the two.
The AMA also recommends engaging in a high-intensity muscle-strengthening activity, such as weightlifting, at least two days a week. Strength training helps build muscle, which increases your metabolism and aids in burning fat. Additionally, stay active throughout the day by doing household chores, taking walks, and taking frequent stretch-and-walk breaks from sitting.
Just as everyone should exercise, nobody should smoke. However, the risks of smoking increase with diabetes. Smoking dries out your body’s tissues, including your blood vessels, and also robs your heart and other organs of oxygen.
If you have high blood pressure, suspect you might have high blood pressure, or have a personal or family history of heart disease, please schedule a consultation. Using a variety of tests, including possibly a stress test, we determine your individual risk for heart failure or other cardiovascular issues and customize a treatment plan.
To schedule your heart health evaluation if you have diabetes, contact our expert team at 718-208-4816 or use our online outreach form today.
