Type 2 Diabetes - How to Prevent Heart Diseases and Stroke Complications When You Have Diabetes
Receiving a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke complications according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.
In fact, if you have diabetes you are twice as likely to suffer from these complications compared to non-diabetics.
Added to this, being diabetic makes you develop cardiovascular problems at a much earlier age compared to anyone without diabetes.
And so, because of the higher prevalence of heart disease and stroke in the diabetic population, people who have this blood sugar problem should take extra caution to prevent developing these complications.
What can you do to help prevent these complications? 1.
Choose a heart-healthy diet: According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, one of the best defenses you can possibly have to ward off heart problems and stroke is to follow a heart-healthy diet.
What is a heart-healthy diet?
Exercise: When you exercise, you give your heart muscle a workout.
Like any other muscle in your body, if you work out regularly, you will build up your heart and make it strong with good circulation.
Exercise helps you to not develop high blood pressure by improving your circulation and helping to control your weight.
Exercise can also decrease your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
However, if you have not taken part in regular physical activities for quite some time, it is best to see your doctor first before starting your daily exercise routine.
3.
Don't smoke: Having diabetes alone can already increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Smoking is like "adding more insult to injury".
Nicotine, which is the addictive substance in tobacco products, constricts blood vessels and leads to high blood pressure.
When you have diabetes, or are overweight AND smoke, your risk for heart disease and high blood pressure sharply rises.
4.
Ask your doctor about aspirin: some studies reveal that taking low dose aspirin every day can decrease the risk for heart disease and stroke in Type 2 diabetes.
However, never decide to take this medication on your own; talk it over with your doctor.
5.
Watch out for Transient Ischemic Attacks or TIA's: TIA is commonly known as a mini or mild stroke.
TIA's occur when the blood vessels supplying certain parts of the brain becomes compromised because of fatty deposits in the blood vessels in the brain.
Symptoms of TIA may include:
In fact, if you have diabetes you are twice as likely to suffer from these complications compared to non-diabetics.
Added to this, being diabetic makes you develop cardiovascular problems at a much earlier age compared to anyone without diabetes.
And so, because of the higher prevalence of heart disease and stroke in the diabetic population, people who have this blood sugar problem should take extra caution to prevent developing these complications.
What can you do to help prevent these complications? 1.
Choose a heart-healthy diet: According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, one of the best defenses you can possibly have to ward off heart problems and stroke is to follow a heart-healthy diet.
What is a heart-healthy diet?
- a diet rich in fiber: foods rich in fiber can decrease blood cholesterol level.
These include fruits, vegetables, oatmeal, wheat bran, whole grain cereals, whole-grain breads, peas and beans.
The daily dietary recommendation for fiber is 14 grams per 1000 calories consumed. - a diet low in saturated fat: saturated fats may increase your blood cholesterol levels.
Poultry skin, meats, butter, dairy products and tropical oils are rich in saturated fats. - a diet which is low in trans fats: baked goods, fried foods, salad dressings and other foods with hydrogenated fats are rich in trans fat.
Trans fats increase your blood cholesterol level.
And with high blood cholesterol, the risk for heart diseases and stroke increases.
Exercise: When you exercise, you give your heart muscle a workout.
Like any other muscle in your body, if you work out regularly, you will build up your heart and make it strong with good circulation.
Exercise helps you to not develop high blood pressure by improving your circulation and helping to control your weight.
Exercise can also decrease your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
However, if you have not taken part in regular physical activities for quite some time, it is best to see your doctor first before starting your daily exercise routine.
3.
Don't smoke: Having diabetes alone can already increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Smoking is like "adding more insult to injury".
Nicotine, which is the addictive substance in tobacco products, constricts blood vessels and leads to high blood pressure.
When you have diabetes, or are overweight AND smoke, your risk for heart disease and high blood pressure sharply rises.
4.
Ask your doctor about aspirin: some studies reveal that taking low dose aspirin every day can decrease the risk for heart disease and stroke in Type 2 diabetes.
However, never decide to take this medication on your own; talk it over with your doctor.
5.
Watch out for Transient Ischemic Attacks or TIA's: TIA is commonly known as a mini or mild stroke.
TIA's occur when the blood vessels supplying certain parts of the brain becomes compromised because of fatty deposits in the blood vessels in the brain.
Symptoms of TIA may include:
- loss of balance,
- sudden weakness,
- blurred vision,
- severe headache, and
- transient slight facial asymmetry that resolves within twenty-four hours after the attack
