Diabetes and Heart Disease

Diabetes and heart disease:

Diabetes – general information

Our body uses insulin to convert carbohydrates into energy. Diabetes occurs when our body does not produce enough insulin or does not use proper insulin. Approximately 13 million Americans have been diagnosed of diabetes. You can say, 7% of Americans can have diabetes but out of them 6% do not know that they are suffering from diabetes. The actual cause of diabetes is still unknown. Sometimes heredity can be a factor that causes diabetes. Early medical examination can help you avoid diabetes. Diabetes can be treated with insulin injections a good diet and regular exercise.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes:

Extreme thirst and hunger

Weight loss

Fatigue

Frequent urination

General irritability

Blurred vision

These symptoms can be observed regularly so one might ignore them but make sure that you take the tests required to diagnose diabetes.

How is diabetes linked to heart disease?

2 out of 3 people suffering from diabetes have died of heart disease. Insulin uses sugar in the body which is the basic fuel of cells in the body. Insulin provides sugar that is collected from the blood to the cells. Sometimes glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells. Due to this cells may be starved of energy also high blood glucose levels affect the kidneys, eyes, and different nerves and heart. This increases the cardiovascular risk that causes heart diseases.

The liver makes cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatlike substance that travels around the body in tiny clumps of fat and proteins called lipoproteins. Low density lipoproteins(LDL) carry cholesterol where it is needed and high density lipoproteins(HDL) carry leftover cholesterol back to the liver. When cholesterol levels are high, LDL deposits it in the arteries. This results in hardening and narrowing of the arteries that results in heart diseases. HDL, however benefits by carrying away the cholesterol away from the arteries. Diabetes can affect the balance between HDL and LDL levels. Diabetes patients have less HDL that affects the arteries and heart muscle thereby reducing the blood flow.

How can you reduce the risk for diabetes patients?

A balanced diet that contains less cholesterol should be consumed. Exercise will help reduce the extra fat. Proper medication prescribed by your doctor can reduce risk.