Diabetes and Heart Disease Connection: Risks and Prevention
India has long been known to be one of the major diabetes “capitals” of the world and when you add the heightened risk of suffering from heart disease to the mix, long term decline of quality of life can occur significantly. The number of individuals suffering from diabetes is extremely high in the Indian subcontinent and the incidence of heart disease is also much higher- as it is diagnosed at least 2 decades earlier than in the West. This can be attributed to an interplay of multiple factors like genes and lifestyle respectively. Let us learn more about diabetes and heart disease connection in this blog.
How Diabetes Affects The Heart
The relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular health has been studied in great detail, in the last few decades. In India atleast, various prospective studies have shown that almost 30-40% of individuals who had coronary heart disease, were in fact diabetic. This is because the risk of suffering from heart disease increases by almost 4 times, when someone is diabetic. High blood sugar levels can lead to obvious issues like obesity, metabolic disease and hypertension also – other chronic conditions which need to be managed well, if you want to live for long. Since diabetes is a metabolic condition by itself, it can cause atherosclerosis or plaque build up, impacting blood flow to and from the heart.
Greater amounts of cholesterol can also cause the arteries to harden- and this can lead to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) too. PAD can be considered to be one of the first symptoms of heart disease, due to diabetes. Neuronal health is also impacted adversely, leading to peripheral neuropathy, which is a common problem associated with diabetes.
Heart Attack Risk In Diabetics
Since the possibility of suffering from heart disease is almost 2-4 times higher than usual, the risk of suffering from a heart attack is also heightened significantly. Heart attack risk is due to damage of blood vessels, higher levels of LDL and triglycerides, lower levels of HDL in the long run and poorer nerve health, respectively. With diabetes being diagnosed in earlier ages, heart disease is not too far behind- which is why people here in South East Asia suffer from heart disease in their early 40s or even 30s.
Preventing Heart Disease With Diabetes-
If you have diabetes, then your doctor must have told you how important your diet and regular physical activity are, to help improve your outcomes. Ways you can do so include-
Controlling blood sugar for heart health will involve you taking care of the ABCs of your health- A1C levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These can be done with regular check ups and annual assessments. A1C levels should be checked every 3-4 months, to verify if your blood glucose levels are within range and if any medications need to be changed.
- Eating a balanced diet- which is rich in seasonal vegetables, fruits, whole grains and enough protein- which can be from animal or plant sources, or a mix of both too.
- You should also drink plenty of water everyday, so that your kidneys continue to function well. Regular aerobic exercise sessions can strengthen your heart well.
- You should not drink alcohol, smoke or gain too much weight quickly. Try to get to a healthy weight that you can maintain for a long time.
Conclusion
Apart from good food and activity habits and levels, you should also focus on learning to manage stress effectively. You should continue to take your medications on time – heart disease ones and insulin and learn to give yourself enough space and consideration to get used to a seemingly poor diagnosis. This is because constantly worrying about your health and dealing with chronic health issues can take a toll on your mental health too. Getting help and maintaining a positive outlook are hence two ways to feel better in the long run.
FAQs
Diabetes raises blood sugar levels, which can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart. High glucose promotes inflammation and the build-up of fatty deposits in arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. This restricts blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
People with diabetes may experience chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, or irregular heartbeat. However, due to nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), some may not feel typical warning signs like chest pain, making heart disease harder to detect.
Yes. Managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels reduces the risk of heart complications. A consistent treatment plan involving medication, diet and physical activity lowers strain on the cardiovascular system and slows disease progression.
Heart-healthy Indian foods include dals, rajma, methi, and whole grains like bajra and jowar. Turmeric, garlic, and jeera reduce inflammation. Amla, guava, pomegranate, almonds, and walnuts improve cholesterol. Use mustard oil or limited ghee; avoid fried snacks and excess salt.
Walking, cycling, swimming, and resistance training are safe and beneficial. These improve insulin sensitivity and circulation. Blood sugar should be monitored before and after activity to avoid hypoglycaemia. A healthcare provider should be consulted before starting new routines.