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Cardiac Care8 Minute Read

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: How to Reduce Your Risk

African man is sitting at the sofa at the home and taking blood from his finger due to diabetes.
Reviewed By: Dr. Yordanka Reyna
Published: Wednesday Mar. 22, 2023
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Cardiovascular disease is a major concern for people with diabetes, as it is estimated that most people with type 2 diabetes will eventually develop the condition. Cardiovascular disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and hypertension. Unfortunately, these health problems are more likely to happen to people with diabetes because of the higher risk factors that come with this long-term health condition. If you know that heart disease and diabetes are linked, you can take steps to prevent or control your risk of serious complications.

Causes of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is caused by a variety of factors, but the main ones are related to lifestyle choices and genetics. Poor lifestyle choices such as smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and high stress levels can all contribute to cardiovascular disease. Additionally, people with diabetes are more likely to have other health conditions that can further increase their risk for heart disease. For example, being overweight increases the risk of both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Genetics also play an important role in determining whether someone is at a higher risk for developing heart problems; if you have a family history of heart problems or stroke, your chances of developing cardiovascular disease may be increased.

When it comes to preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are some key steps you can take: eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats and sodium, exercising regularly, not smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels with medication, getting regular check-ups with your doctor, and managing stress levels. People with diabetes should aim to maintain good blood sugar control because high sugar levels can damage the blood vessels that feed the heart. Also, people with diabetes need to maintain a healthy weight because being overweight makes the risk of CVD higher. Finally, seeking support from your healthcare team is important – they will be able to help you develop an individual plan tailored to your specific needs to reduce your risk of developing CVD.

Signs and Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is a complicated and dangerous illness, so it's important to know the signs so you can get help if you need it. There are many warning signs of heart disease, and some of them might not be obvious at first. The most common signs and symptoms include chest pain or discomfort (angina), shortness of breath, feeling faint or dizzy, heart palpitations, a slow heartbeat, swollen feet or ankles, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. In rare cases, a person may experience an irregular heartbeat that lasts for more than a few seconds. It is also important to note that some symptoms may develop gradually over time before becoming severe enough to be noticed. This can make it more difficult to recognize the telltale signs early on. For example, having more risk factors like high cholesterol or high blood pressure can make you more likely to get CVD, even though you might not notice any outward signs in the early stages. Additionally, people with diabetes tend to be more prone to developing silent forms of cardiovascular disease, including peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease; these conditions often do not exhibit any consistent warning signs until they reach advanced stages.

Due to the lack of physical symptoms in the early stages of CVD development, it is particularly important for those with diabetes to get regular check-ups with their doctor to monitor their risk level for developing CVD. This could mean getting regular tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) to look for changes in the heart's rhythm or electrical activity that could be signs of heart problems. Other tests like a cholesterol screen can also help find problems with cholesterol levels before they cause serious problems. Ultimately, recognizing the warning signs associated with cardiovascular disease and getting regular medical check-ups will help you prevent further health problems from developing down the road.

Detecting Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease can be found through several methods, depending on the severity of the condition. The most common way to find out if someone has cardiovascular disease is to look at their medical history and do a physical exam. During this process, the doctor will look at your heart rate, blood pressure, and listen for any abnormal sounds that may indicate an issue with your heart. They will also review your family’s medical history to see if there is a history of heart problems in your family. In addition, they may ask about lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or exercising regularly to determine whether these are contributing factors to CVD risk.

If further evaluation is needed after the physical exam, doctors may use different tests to detect cardiovascular disease. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most widely used tests for diagnosing CVD because it can provide information about how well the heart muscle is working by measuring its electrical activity. An echocardiogram (ECHO) uses ultrasound technology to take pictures of the heart and examine its structure and function while it beats. Cardiac stress tests measure how well the heart responds when it works harder during exercise or activity; this test usually involves walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while connected to ECG equipment. Cardiac catheterization is another diagnostic procedure that involves inserting a thin flexible tube into an artery to measure blood flow within the coronary arteries and assess blockage levels in them.

In addition to these invasive testing procedures, there are other non-invasive imaging techniques that can be used to detect any narrowing or blockages within the coronary arteries caused by deposits of cholesterol or hardened arterial plaque. Cardiovascular computerized tomography (CT) scans use X-rays to capture detailed images of structures inside the body such as bones, organs and muscles; CT scans may be able to detect calcium buildup in coronary arteries which indicates atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also takes detailed images but uses magnetic fields instead of X-rays; this test can provide more information about how well blood vessels are functioning rather than just their shape and size like CT scans do. Lastly, positron emission tomography (PET) scans involve injecting radioactive substances into your veins so that certain parts of your body can be highlighted and examined for any abnormalities that could indicate CVD development.

Each of these tests has its own advantages and disadvantages so it’s important for you and your doctor decide which test(s) would be best suited for helping identify any problems early on before they become serious health issues later down the road. Cardiovascular disease is a serious condition that should not be taken lightly so make sure you keep track of your risk factors such as age, family history, lifestyle choices etc., stay active with regular exercise, maintain good control over diabetes related symptoms like high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels - all these steps combined with getting regular check-ups from your doctor will help ensure you remain healthy for many years ahead.

Keep Your Heart Healthy

Keeping your heart healthy is of utmost importance, especially if you have diabetes and are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. To maintain a healthy heart, it is important to focus on lifestyle choices such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels with medication, getting regular check-ups with your doctor, and managing stress levels.

Eating a balanced diet is essential for promoting heart health. Focus on eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables every day, as these are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that keep the body strong and can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Avoid processed foods that are high in sugar or sodium; instead, try to opt for lean proteins like fish or chicken and whole grains such as quinoa or brown rice. Additionally, add in some nuts or seeds for good sources of healthy fats that can help lower bad cholesterol levels.

Regular physical activity helps keep your heart strong and healthy by improving circulation and reducing the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure or obesity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day – this could be jogging, walking briskly, cycling outdoors, or using a stationary bike indoors. Cardiovascular exercises like swimming are also excellent options; they not only strengthen the heart muscle but also help you relax and reduce stress levels, which helps protect against CVD development.

Another important factor in keeping your heart healthy is managing stress levels. Chronic stress can put excessive strain on the heart, which can increase your risk of developing CVD over time. Try to incorporate activities into your daily routine that will help you relax, such as yoga or meditation. Taking up hobbies like gardening can give you something else to focus on rather than being consumed by worries or anxieties, which may result in higher stress levels over time.

Quitting smoking is one of the most important steps to take to maintain a healthy heart since smoking increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases significantly due to the chemicals present in cigarettes that affect the artery walls, leading to plaque buildup over time. This narrows down the artery channels, making it more difficult for blood to flow through them, resulting in increased risks for stroke or coronary artery disease (CAD). Additionally, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels through medications prescribed by your doctor can help protect against CVD development because too much cholesterol in the bloodstream leads to an accumulation of fatty deposits along artery walls, which again narrows down their channels, restricting normal blood flow—this increases risks for stroke or CAD as well.

Finally, visiting your doctor regularly gives you an opportunity to monitor any changes that may be happening inside your body related to CVD so they can be addressed before major complications occur later down the road. Electrocardiograms (ECG) give detailed information about how well the heart muscle is working. This means that any abnormalities that could be signs of heart problems can be found quickly before they get worse and need urgent medical care. Cardiovascular disease should never be taken lightly, so make sure you follow all these steps carefully, combined with regular check-ups from healthcare professionals, for the best results.

Takeaways

Cardiovascular disease is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if it is not detected and treated in time. People with diabetes are particularly at risk for developing CVD, as it increases their chances of having heart problems later down the road. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, such as eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats and sodium, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels with medication, getting regular check-ups with your doctor, and managing stress levels. By following these tips closely and seeking support from healthcare professionals when needed, you will have taken great strides towards protecting yourself against this deadly illness.

Broward Health, providing service for more than 85 years, is a nationally recognized system in South Florida that offers world-class healthcare to all. The Broward Health system includes the statutory teaching hospital Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital, Broward Health Weston, Broward HealthPoint, Broward Health Physician Group, Broward Health Urgent Care, Broward Health International, and Broward Health Foundation. For more information, visit BrowardHealth.org.