Heart disease and diabetes are linked in that diabetes is one of the health risk factors for heart disease.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not properly control the amount of sugar in the blood. This results in the level of sugar in the blood is too high. It can be caused by too little insulin , resistance to insulin, or both. Its development can be affected by lifestyle issues such as poor diet and the development of obesity.
Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.
There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and 2. Type 1 usually begins in childhood and is caused by a decreased production of insulin. It requires insulin therapy. Type 2 usually begins in adulthood and is most often caused by resistance to the action of insulin. Therapy is usually by lifestyle modification and/or medications other than insulin.
The treatment of diabetes is the optimal management of blood sugar through the use of medications, proper eating habits and physical activity. Careful monitoring of blood sugar and its response to those approaches in a specific individual leads to better understanding, better compliance and better results.
Diabetes and heart disease
People with diabetes have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Management of established cardiovascular risk factors reduces cardiovascular event rates in people with diabetes.
Lifestyle issues are important, as a means of preventing pre-diabetes from becoming diabetes and the overall treatment of pre-diabetes or diabetes.
A consistent exercise program on a daily basis including some aerobic exercise is ideal.
As diabetes increases the risk for heart disease, it is important for people with diabetes to be careful about the amount and type of fat they eat. Saturated fat should be limited as should trans-fat.
Normalizing weight is one of the most important elements for diabetes control. Weight control must start with decreased carbohydrate intake and smaller portions.
People with diabetes are at high risk for cardiovascular disease due to the toll it takes on blood vessels.
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