Diabetes and Your Heart
Circulatory System Damage from High Blood Glucose Levels
This article will attempt to discuss the reasons as to why diabetics are more prone to cardiovascular disease and circulatory problems.
A survey taken in 2003, by the CDC, showed that over five million American adults with diabetes, thirty-five years or older, were diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease condition. The survey includes those with coronary heart disease, stroke or other cardiovascular conditions. The American Heart Association confirms that diabetes and heart disease go hand in hand, and studies by the Mayo Clinic showed that sixty-five percent of diabetics die from cardiovascular disease conditions or complications. According to them, diabetics are two to four times more prone to cardiovascular events than those without diabetes. They are more likely to die from a heart attack than non-diabetics and have an equal chance of dying from a sudden heart attack as that of someone who already has had a previous cardiovascular infarction.
Glucose
Diabetes, basically, is a disease that affects one’s ability to produce or utilize insulin. This insulin, which is needed to convert sugars, carbohydrates and other foods, does not work efficiently. The results are poorly controlled glucose levels in the blood. High blood glucose levels affect the lining of the arteries, by roughening them. According to the Diabetes Organization of the UK, this roughening results in arterial narrowing or arteriosclerosis. This allows the buildup of fatty materials, within arterial walls, decreasing the ability of the oxygen rich blood to reach target tissues, in essence, starving them. If the narrowing occurs in the coronary vessels, a heart attack may occur. If this narrowing occurs in the arteries that feed the brain, a stroke may occur. If they occur in the legs, a condition called peripheral vascular disease or PVD, can lead to muscle spasms, pain, gangrene and foot amputation. In addition, high glucose levels in the blood decrease the good HDL cholesterol and increase triglyceride levels, further increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Insulin
According to the American Heart Association, insulin resistance also causes another major risk factor for diabetics. Their research has shown that there is a direct correlation between insulin resistance and high blood pressure. People with both diabetes and hypertension double their risk of cardiovascular disease, as opposed to individuals with just diabetes. High blood pressure can damage arterial blood vessel elasticity and makes the heart and kidney work harder. So those people with both disease states will now have two different mechanisms for arterial damage, in place. If this individual has obesity, a lack of physical exercise or smokes, the odds increase even more for developing cardiovascular disease.
Management
Since there is no current cure for diabetes, management and control are vital. Guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association and the Mayo Clinic describe various ways to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease related problems. First and foremost, blood sugar levels need to be maintained. This includes taking any medication that is required and testing glucose levels frequently, namely through the hemoglobin A1C test, which reflects one’s average glucose blood levels over the course of 3 months. A result of seven or more may require treatment or adjustment of medications, by the physician in charge. Blood pressure, also needs to be checked regularly. Current guidelines indicate that a blood pressure over 130/80 millimeters of mercury, may need to be treated. Blood tests to determine cholesterol and triglyceride levels, also need to be taken regularly to ensure that cholesterol and triglyceride levels are normal. If they aren't, appropriate medications may need to be dispensed to reduce them to acceptable levels. Current norms for each individual are a LDL cholesterol reading below one hundred, a HDL cholesterol reading over fifty for women and above forty for men and a triglyceride level below one hundred fifty.
In addition, many lifestyle changes need to be done to reduce these risks even further. These involve losing weight, eating healthier, exercising, stopping tobacco use and moderating the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Diabetes is a serious problem and increases ones risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Having hypertension and any other additional risk factors just increases those odds. As with any disease entity, consultation and a close working relationship with a physician is vital. Only then, will management and control be maintained a lifetime.
