We know diabetes negatively affects you, but what’s the link between diabetes and heart health? Read on to find out.
According to the American Heart Association, individuals with diabetes are more than twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease than the general population. The high sugar levels in the blood of people with diabetes can damage blood vessels, which can result in blocked circulation to your coronary artery.
For this reason, it’s important that you effectively manage your diabetes or reduce the risk of developing it if you don’t have it. In addition, you should also manage other related factors that can also negatively impact your heart health.
Treating Heart Disease in Diabetes Patients
If you have diabetes, then adopting healthy lifestyle choices like exercising regularly and eating healthily are a must. In addition, your doctor may prescribe you medications to help treat heart disease if you have diabetes.
However, talk to your doctor if you’re thinking about taking over-the-counter medications. Certain OTC medications may interact with your diabetes medication or may contain ingredients that affect your blood sugar level. Some of the medications your doctor may prescribe include liraglutide, empagliflozin, statins, and antihypertensives.
Other Factors
When it comes to your risk factors for heart disease, diabetes is only one of them. Others include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, a sedentary life, and smoking.
In fact, high blood pressure (hypertension) is one of the most common heart disease risk factors in people with diabetes. By putting a strain on your heart and blood vessels, hypertension can lead to a heart attack, stroke, kidney issues, and vision problems. Furthermore, people with both diabetes and hypertension are twice as likely to develop heart disease.
Preventing Heart Disease
If you have diabetes, it doesn’t mean you will end up with heart disease – if you take control of your health. Start by eating a heart-healthy diet to reduce your overall blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. For example, you can eat leafy greens like spinach, cold-water fish like salmon, nuts, and whole grains.
In addition, you’ll want to be on top of your blood glucose level, blood pressure, cholesterol, and daily habits. For instance, smoking can narrow your blood vessels, so find ways to quit if you’re a smoker. By quitting, you can lower your risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and other medical issues.
The Outlook
By managing your health through healthy lifestyle changes and taking prescription medication, you should be able to manage diabetes and heart disease. However, if you experience chest pain or pressure, fatigue, or shortness of breath, you should see your doctor immediately.
In addition to adopting healthy habits, you can take supplements like L-arginine Plus to give yourself an extra boost. Its formula is effective at promoting circulation, blood pressure health, cholesterol health, and more. If you’re ready to give your heart the support it deserves, then take action to manage your diabetes and take L-arginine Plus.