Diabetes and Heart Disease

People who have diabetes have a higher risk of developing heart disease than people who do not suffer from diabetes. Luckily, however, diabetics (as well as non-diabetics) can take some simple steps to lower their chances of developing heart disease. By taking an active role in the management of your diabetes and by following an active and healthy lifestyle, you can keep your heart in top condition.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes are the most common forms of diabetes:
  • Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes results from an autoimmune problem in which a person’s immune system attacks the pancreas, the part of the body that produces insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugars, or glucose.

    People who have Type 1 diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, do not produce enough insulin or may not produce insulin at all. This type of diabetes is also known as juvenile diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes need to receive insulin injections.

  • Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, can develop in people of any age. As the most common form of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all known diabetes cases.

    Initially, Type 2 diabetics' bodies cannot use insulin properly, resulting in the pancreas producing more insulin. Ultimately, the pancreas is unable to keep up with the demand for insulin. Those with Type 2 diabetes don’t necessarily need to receive insulin injections.

Heart Disease in Diabetics

Both Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes can lead to heart disease, as diabetics tend to have higher than normal levels of sugar in their bodies. Elevated blood sugar can cause damage to many parts of the body, including the heart.

Diabetes can:

  • increase blood pressure
  • increase the levels of triglycerides in your blood
  • decrease the levels of HDL cholesterol, the so-called good cholesterol.

All of these factors can contribute to heart disease.

Diabetes Statistics
Here are some important diabetes statistics:
  • A little more than 20 percent of all people over the age of 60 have diabetes.

  • Approximately 30 percent of all of the people who have diabetes go undiagnosed.

  • Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Diabetic Association. Many feel that this figure is underreported because not all diabetics are diagnosed.

  • Native Americans and Alaskan natives have the highest percentage of diabetics among people over the age of 20 than any other ethnic group.

  • People who have diabetes are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular problems as people who do not have diabetes.

  • People who have diabetes develop heart disease at an earlier age than people who do not have diabetes.

Diabetes Treatment

To reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetics should follow the diabetes treatment that is prescribed by their doctors. While there is no known cure for diabetes,diabetes can be controlled and managed through the following methods:
  • Eat a healthy diet and follow your doctor's recommendations for what should be part of a diabetic diet.

  • Exercise on a regular basis.

  • Loose weight if you are overweight.

  • Lower your cholesterol levels. This can be achieved both through diet and medication.

  • Monitor and control your blood sugar levels. Sometimes insulin is necessary to control levels of blood sugar.

  • Regulate your blood pressure. Sometimes medication is necessary to achieve optimal blood pressure.

  • Stop smoking.
You might also consider asking your physician if you should start aspirin therapy, which has been proven to improve heart health in some patients.

Heart Disease Treatments

Heart disease treatments vary according to the type of heart disease that you have. Some common heart disease treatments may include:
  • lifestyle changes, such as changes in diet and exercise

  • medications, including cholesterol medications, anticoagulants and/or blood pressure medications

  • surgeries, such as angioplasties or bypass surgeries.

Resources

American Diabetes Association (n.d.). Taking Care of Your Heart. Retrieved August 23, 2007, from the Diabetes.org Web site: http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/well-being/
taking-care-heart.jsp.

FamilyDoctor.org Editorial Staff (Sept. 2000). Diabetes and Heart Disease. Retrieved August 23, 2007, from the FamilyDoctor.org Web site: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/
diabetes/complications/647.html.

National Institutes of Health (2005). National Diabetes Statistics. Retrieved August 23, 2007, from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics/index.htm.

University of Virginia (Feb. 12, 2004). Diabetes and Heart Disease. Retrieved August 23, 2007, from the University of Virginia Health System Web site: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_diabetes
/heart.cfm.