Heart Disease and Diabetes Relationship
Heart disease is a common side effect in people who have type-2 diabetes. According to statistics released by the National Heart Association in 2012, more than sixty per cent of people diagnosed with diabetes have a high chance of getting diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
It is safe to state that diabetes and heart disease have a strong relationship with one another that proves fatal to humans, in most of the cases, especially when proper medical care is not administered to the patient, on time.
Relationship between diabetes and heart disease
Apart from the data shared by National Heart Associated in 2012, several studies have proven over the years that there is a strong relationship between diabetes and heart disease.
For instance –
There is the Framingham Study where researchers took a close look at several generations of people who had diabetes. After that, the researchers tried to determine the health risk factors that could lead to these people developing heart disease. Their research results showed that diabetes increases the chances of a person developing heart disease!
Another medical study also proved that individuals with diabetes, even when they do not have heart disease risk factors, such as –
- A habit of smoking
- A family history riddled with heart disease
- A drinking problem
- A habit of recreational drug abuse, etc. – can get diagnosed with heart disease if they are diagnosed with diabetes and it proceeds to type – 2!
How does diabetes affect the heart
It is evident by now that heart disease and diabetes have a close relationship that is fatal for the human body in the long run but, how does diabetes affect the heart?
Well, diabetes leads to hardening of the arteries – a medical condition called Atherosclerosis. It is the result of cholesterol that builds up in the blood vessels thereby posing as a hurdle for nutrient-laden oxygenated blood to the heart.
This could lead to brain-stroke, and lack of blood in your limbs thus paving the way for the peripheral vascular disease to get a hold on you.
Diabetes and heart disease symptoms
Diabetes leads to silent heart attacks – a condition where you won’t even feel that you have had a heart attack! Diabetes and heart disease symptoms differ from the symptoms of traditional heart disease.
Here is a list of signs that you need to keep an eye out for –
- Sudden bouts of dizziness.
- Fainting when you suddenly try to stand up.
- You feel out of breath even after a short walk on your treadmill.
- You are sweating more than usual.
- Issues with your tummy such as indigestion, bloating or an upset stomach.
- You are often feeling lightheaded.
- You feel tired even after you have had a good night’s sleep.
- Heartburn.
- You are feeling pain in your jaw, left arm or neck.
If you still think that diabetes cannot lead to life-threatening heart disease – well, it is evident there is a strong relationship between diabetes and heart disease. Silent heart attacks leave scars on your heart tissue which affects the overall efficiency of the organ. If you do not seek proper medical care, the chances of you having a fatal heart attack triples. Take care and keep an eye out for the aforementioned symptoms.