**Key Tips for Preventing/Controlling Heart Diseases in Individuals with Diabetes:**
1. **Blood Sugar Management:**
– Keep blood sugar levels within optimal ranges (fasting blood glucose 90-130 mg/dL, 2 hr postprandial glucose below 180 mg/dL) to prevent or delay blood vessel damage.
– Monitor long-term diabetes control with Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), aiming for a target below 7%.
2. **Hypertension Control:**
– Maintain blood pressure at 130/80 mm/Hg to prevent heart disease associated with hypertension.
3. **Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels:**
– Manage cholesterol levels by keeping good cholesterol (HDL) increased and bad cholesterol (LDL) below 100 mg/dL.
– Ensure triglyceride levels are below 150 mg/dL and total cholesterol remains below 200 mg/dL.
– Restrict intake of egg yolk, mutton, organ meats, and fried/salty foods to maintain healthy lipid profiles.
4. **Healthy Lifestyle Choices:**
– Engage in regular exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes per week, following guidance from a physician or fitness consultant.
– Quit smoking and avoid tobacco use to reduce cardiovascular risks.
5. **Abdominal Obesity Prevention:**
– Combat central or abdominal obesity by maintaining a waist measurement below 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women.
Implementing these key tips, along with regular monitoring and consultation with healthcare professionals, can significantly contribute to the prevention and control of heart diseases in individuals with diabetes.
There is undeniable evidence linking diabetes to an increased risk of conditions that elevate the likelihood of heart disease. The American Heart Association recognizes diabetes as one of the seven major controllable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Individuals with diabetes face a heightened risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD), characterized by the narrowing or blocking of blood vessels leading to the heart, as well as an elevated likelihood of experiencing heart attacks or strokes compared to non-diabetic individuals. Furthermore, people with diabetes are prone to developing heart disease at an earlier age than those without diabetes.
Several common risk factors are shared by both diabetes and heart disease, including physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet, obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol, low birth weight, smoking, and stress.
In those without diabetes, insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle typically manifests with various signs and symptoms such as chest pain, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, jaw or arm pain, and sweating. However, individuals with diabetes may not exhibit any of these typical heart-related symptoms, a phenomenon known as ‘silent ischemia.’ The absence of symptoms may create a deceptive sense of good health, potentially delaying medical care or treatment until serious complications arise. Regular screening and follow-up visits with a diabetologist or physician are crucial for identifying risk factors and heart-related issues before they escalate.
Various tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG), can aid in assessing heart function. Sophisticated non-invasive techniques, such as carotid intimal medial thickness (IMT), endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness, can be employed to study the early stages of CAD, encompassing both functional and structural changes in the arteries. These measures contribute to proactive management and intervention, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the cardiovascular health of individuals with diabetes.