Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a complication and cause of premature death among people with diabetes. Unfortunately, many people with diabetes do not understand the risk of cardiovascular disease or what they can do to help prevent it.
Diabetes is a disorder in which the body does not make insulin , does not make enough insulin, or does not properly use the insulin it makes (insulin resistance) . Insulin helps the body use the bodies favorite source of energy, sugar. Without insulin, glucose (sugar) from food cannot enter cells. Glucose builds up in the blood and body tissues become starved for energy. Long-term, high blood sugar levels can damage the arteries, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and other tissues.
Adults with diabetes are 2-4 times more likely to have CVD than people without diabetes. In people with diabetes, high blood glucose levels are associated with the development of atherosclerosis . This is a condition in which fatty deposits (plaque) damage the lining of the arteries, causing them to narrow and harden. Atherosclerosis, the main cause of CVD, interferes with blood flow—ultimately leading to several manifestations of CVD including:
People with type 2 diabetes often have an increased risk of CVD for the following reasons:
People with diabetes who smoke double their risk of CVD.
Those with the highest risk for diabetes and its CVD complications include:
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the management of three critical indicators is essential for reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with diabetes:
People with diabetes can lower their risk of CVD with therapeutic lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, weight management, and regular exercise. Drug therapy is also available to control some risk factors for CVD and prevent or treat the complications of diabetes.
People with diabetes can take the following steps to help reduce their risk of CVD:
RESOURCES:
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org/
National Diabetes Education Program
http://ndep.nih.gov/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.ca/
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/
References:
Complications of diabetes in the United States. American Diabetes Association website. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/complications.jsp. Accessed June 12, 2009.
National Diabetes Education Program. The link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. National Diabetes Education Program website. Available at: http://ndep.nih.gov/media/CVD_FactSheet.pdf. Updated February 2007. Accessed May 24, 2010.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov.
Last reviewed May 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
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