Beyond Blood Sugar: Understanding Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes
Published: Feb 07, 2024
People with type 2 diabetes face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Understanding and managing this risk is crucial for overall health and longevity.
Contents
The Diabetes-Heart Disease Connection
Type 2 diabetes can damage blood vessels and nerves that control your heart. High blood sugar levels can lead to the buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, diabetes often coexists with other cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Key Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Several factors contribute to cardiovascular risk in diabetes. These include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels (particularly high LDL and low HDL), obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity. Managing these factors is as important as controlling blood sugar for overall health.
Assessing Your Risk
Your doctor will assess your cardiovascular risk using various tools. This may include blood tests for cholesterol and other markers, blood pressure measurements, and evaluating your medical history and lifestyle factors. They may also use risk calculators that consider multiple factors to estimate your 10-year risk of heart disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but managing other risk factors is equally important.
Risk varies, but all should be assessed and monitored.
Yes, diabetes can affect how you experience heart attack symptoms.
At least annually, or more frequently if high-risk.
Key Takeaways
Managing cardiovascular risk is a crucial part of diabetes care, requiring a comprehensive approach beyond just blood sugar control.
Concerned about your heart health with diabetes? Schedule a cardiovascular risk assessment with Doctronic today.Related Articles
References
American Diabetes Association. Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2021. Diabetes Care. 2021;44(Suppl 1):S125-S150.
Leon BM, Maddox TM. Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Epidemiology, biological mechanisms, treatment recommendations and future research. World J Diabetes. 2015;6(13):1246-1258.
Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.