As a diabetic you realize that monitoring your blood sugar level is a task you need to do each day; even more frequently if necessary. As a Diabetic you may or may not me aware that you are prone to many other diseases of the cardiovascular system and you also likely to die sooner than your non-diabetic friends. However, there are many things you can do to reduce your risks to these diseases and early death. Hyperglycemia is when the blood sugar is too high. This is usually due to excessive intake of sweets / carbohydrates. Hypoglycemia is when the blood sugar is low and may be due to reduced intake of sugars or an overdose of insulin.
Today, I have chosen to talk about cardiovascular diseases because they are the most common killers of young men and women suffering from diabetes and obesity. Heart diseases and strokes cause sixty-five percent of all diabetes related deaths in the United States. These figures were obtained from the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Some of the interventions need to prolong life are simple and easy to do. Education and knowledge are powerful tools to help you fight cardiovascular diseases. So begin the fight by equipping yourself with the knowledge to deal with the diseases of the heart and brain.
There are many interventions which an informed patient can make at minimal cost to him. Appropriate interventions will result in improved quality and quantity of life and there are many things you can do toe prevent cardio vascular disease from getting the better of you!
The Effects of Diabetes on Blood Vessels.
Diabetes is a disease in which the blood sugar is elevated due to lack of insulin or the neutralization of insulin by chemical mediators in the body. Hence, the elevated blood sugar damages blood vessels. Blood vessels are essential to our health because blood vessels supply blood to the heart, brain and other organs. Arteries with high blood sugar, once damaged, tend to become easy targets for more damage by attracting cholesterol (fatty acids, sometimes referred to as plaques). The plaques in the arteries build up and eventually cause a condition known as arteriosclerosis. These plaques block off the blood supply to vital organs and also cause our blood pressures to rise. High blood pressure causes other problems. Arteriosclerosis also can cause the patient to suffer from shortness of breath, chest pains, jaw pains, left arm discomfort, nausea and vomiting each time you try to work a little. These signs and symptoms are indicative of a pending heart attack, sometimes called a “silent attack”. Many diabetic patients are often not aware of “silent myocardial infarctions”.
Lowering the Risk of a Heart Attack!
The possibility of a diabetic getting a heart attack is 80 % higher than another patient who is not a diabetic. Diabetics can lower their risks by working with their Registered Nurses and Doctors. If you choose you may work by yourself but it is much better to have professional help on your side.
- The first major task you have to do is to lower your blood sugar to acceptable levels. In Australia the values you should be striving are between 5 and 8 mmols. Make this your number one goal. The consequences of high blood sugar can be deadly for you and your loved ones.
- Your other goal is to keep your blood pressure within those specified by you doctor. Generally, your systolic blood pressure should be 100 plus your age and your diastolic should be around 80 mm. Hg. High blood pressure is likely to increase the severity of the complications which are likely to arise. It also speeds up the consequences of those complications. So, keep your blood pressure within your safe levels.
- Triglyceride and cholesterol levels should be maintained within safe limits. High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides cause cardiovascular diseases with disastrous consequences. Relatively speaking, high blood triglycerides & cholesterol cause more damage and at a higher rate than elevated blood pressure. Aim: Your goal for LDL (Bad, Low density Lipids) is to have less than 70 mg/dl. If you have other risk factors you will most likely benefit from lipid lowering medications. These medications are called statin. Commonly used statins are: atrovastatin (crestor) fluvastatin (lescol) and lipitor (lovastatin). You can learn more about statins here. The high-density lipid (good Cholesterol) in your body should be between 40 mg/dl and 60 mg/dl
- Healthy Living. All diabetics need to choose to live a healthy life style. This is a necessity in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Keep you weight to slightly less that that is projected for your height, Keep your BMI to less than 24. Avoid smoking and excessive drinking. If possible, give up drinking. Many doctors are available to help you give up smoking.
- Medications: There is nothing wrong with taking medications for medical conditions. It is good to know when they are not needed. Hence, learn to live with your medications, stop being in a state of denial. Reality is sometimes painful but has longterm benefits. Many medications are now available to control blood sugar levels, blood pressure and high lipid levels.
- Make the link now. Many doctors, nurses and therapists know “Knowledge does not always translate into acton”. In other words many patients know the consequences of their actions and inactions but chose not to do anything with disastrous consequences. They act when it is too late. Once the damage has been done the action will not bring about any change. So if you want to have a healty long life you need to make it happen. Act now!
In conclusion you need to do the following to prevent cardiovascular diseases:
- Keep blood sugar to between 5 and 8 mmols
- Keep blood pressure around 130/80mm Hg
- Keep LDL (bad cholesterol) below 70 mg/dL and HDL (good cholesterol) at 40 mg/dL
- Chose to eat correctly
- Keep your BMI to less than 25
- Do cardiovascular exercises three to four times per week
