Brittany Murphy's Death Brings Cardiovascular Health To Light

The Devastating Effects of Diabetes
 
Diabetes can attack the blood vessels, boosting the risk of heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery obstruction. People with diabetes have narrowed arteries because high blood sugars cause plaques to form, reducing the diameter of the coronary arteries.  Heart attacks are a symptom of long-term diabetes and a leading cause of death among diabetics. People with diabetes are also at a higher risk for vision problems, kidney damage or nerve damage. Many of these effects can be delayed or avoided through blood sugar control.

 Hiding your Disease
 
Some people have difficulty discussing their diabetes with others. However, explaining your condition to those around you can be especially important if medical issues arise. “Hiding” your diabetes from friends and co-workers could have devastating outcomes.

Why Manage Blood Sugar Levels?
 
Diabetics may experience long-term effects of the disease especially if glucose levels remain elevated for long periods of time, so managing your blood sugar level is the most important thing you can do to reduce complications.

Maintaining a Healthy Cardiovascular Lifestyle
 
New research claims that people with diabetes can cut their risk of a heart attack if they lower their blood glucose levels. Here are some additional tips to help you maintain good cardiovascular health that go hand-in-hand with your diabetes control regime.

Exercise -- A regular exercise routine can strengthen the heart and lower blood pressure and keep your weight in check. Focus on aerobic exercises -- biking, walking, running, swimming—as these increase oxygen flow and help strengthen the respiratory and circulatory systems.

Smoking -- Don’t. Smoking doubles the risk of a heart attack. It reduces the flow through arteries, raises blood pressure and can cause plaque buildup that can lead to clogs and heart attacks.

Blood pressure -- A majority of adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure or use medication to reduce high blood pressure. Controlling high blood pressure is a very important factor in cardiovascular health.  Healthy eating, medications and physical activity all contribute to normal blood pressure.

Cholesterol -- People with diabetes often have high cholesterol—a risk factor for heart attacks. Talk to your physician about whether you can benefit from cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins.  In addition, you may want to monitor your cholesterol levels. Your physician can test yours. There are also in-home monitoring systems as well. 

Heart Healthy Foods -- Food that can have a protective effect against cardiovascular damage include tea (both black and green tea) that appears to have antioxidant compounds that may prevent cholesterol from clogging arteries and keep blood vessels supple. Fish – and more specifically the omega-3 fatty acids they contain—can help prevent plaque buildup in the heart and lower triglyceride levels. Such as salmon, trout, mackerel and tuna.

Antioxidants --These nutrients can help with controlling cholesterol levels. Antioxidants rich foods include citrus fruits, broccoli and tomatoes, as well as peanuts, sunflower seeds and vegetable oils are considered heart healthy.

Aspirin -- Check with your physician to see if aspirin therapy is appropriate for you. While it has been proven to be helpful in the battle against cardiovascular disease, it may not be appropriate for everyone—those who may have stomach ulcers or liver disease. It may also affect other medications you may be taking.

By: Kathy Eckel