DIABETIC HEART CARE
· Diabetics face a higher risk of heart disease, especially a heart attack which is often ‘silent’.
· They often do not feel sensations of touch, vibration, heat, cold or pain.
· This includes the pain of a heart attack, resulting in it being ignored or passed off as indigestion.
· Diabetics are also more prone to heart attack due to high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure and increased coagulability of blood.
A. Symptoms of heart disease
· Chest discomfort
· Shortness of breath
· Very slow or fast pulse rate
· Blackouts
· Indigestion-mimicking symptoms
B. Protection
1. Blood sugar
· Keep your blood sugar under control within the normal range, through periodic assessment.
· A useful test which gives the average of the previous three months is called HbA1C, which should be 6.5-7% for a well-controlled diabetic.
2. Body weight
· Maintain proper body weight, as diabetes, obesity and heart disease often go together.
· People with fat around their waist are more at risk of heart disease.
3. Cholesterol level
· Lower the ‘bad’ cholesterol level (LDL) in your blood as it can clog arteries.
· Eat a heart-healthy diet, like 4-5 servings of fruits and leafy vegetables daily.
· Avoid full cream milk products and red meat as far as possible.
4. Blood pressure
· Control your blood pressure, as high BP increases your risk.
· Keep your BP below 130/80 mms Hg.
· If diet and exercise do not help, take suitable medicines.
5. Exercise
· Exercise regularly, for which you don’t need a gymnasium.
· Do brisk walking and prefer the stairs instead of the elevator.
6. Smoking
· Quit smoking as it is bad for diabetics.
· It damages the blood vessels and doubles your risk of heart disease.