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Beyond Blood Sugar: Understanding Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
Published: Feb 07, 2024
People with type 2 diabetes face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Understanding and managing this risk is crucial for overall health and longevity.
The Diabetes-Heart Disease Connection
Type 2 diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. High blood sugar levels can lead to the buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, diabetes often coexists with other cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Key Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Several factors contribute to cardiovascular risk in diabetes. These include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels (particularly high LDL and low HDL), obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity. Managing these factors is as important as controlling blood sugar for overall health.
Assessing Your Risk
Your doctor will assess your cardiovascular risk using various tools. This may include blood tests for cholesterol and other markers, blood pressure measurements, and evaluating your medical history and lifestyle factors. They may also use risk calculators that consider multiple factors to estimate your 10-year risk of heart disease.
Strategies for Reducing Risk
Managing cardiovascular risk involves a multifaceted approach. This includes lifestyle changes like adopting a heart-healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and quitting smoking. Medications may be prescribed to control blood pressure, manage cholesterol, or reduce the risk of blood clots. Some diabetes medications have also shown cardiovascular benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but managing other risk factors is equally important.
Risk varies, but all should be assessed and monitored.
Yes, diabetes can affect how you experience heart attack symptoms.
At least annually, or more frequently if high-risk.
Yes, chronic stress can impact both diabetes and heart health.
The Big Picture
Managing cardiovascular risk is a crucial part of diabetes care, requiring a comprehensive approach beyond just blood sugar control.
References
- American Diabetes Association. Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2021. Diabetes Care. 2021;44(Suppl 1):S125-S150.
- Leon BM, Maddox TM. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Epidemiology, biological mechanisms, treatment recommendations and future research. World J Diabetes. 2015;6(13):1246-1258.
- Einarson TR, Acs A, Ludwig C, Panton UH. Prevalence of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes: a systematic literature review of scientific evidence from across the world in 2007-2017. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2018;17(1):83.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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