The Relationship Between Diabetes and Heart Disease
When a person has diabetes, he or she is also more likely to develop heart disease. Depending on the diabetic's number of risk factors, the risk of heart disease may be even greater. For example, someone who has diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, who smokes, and who is completely inactive is at greater risk of heart disease than someone who only has diabetes. Therefore, controlling risk factors that you can change is extremely important to improve overall health.
We urge all diabetics to request a free diabetic alliance diabetes guide, and many will qualify for a free glucose meter as well.
Scientists believe that diabetes increases your risk of heart disease because persistent elevated levels of blood sugar damages arteries. If you recall how atherosclerotic plaque gets started, you will remember that plaque begins to form on areas where the inside lining of the blood vessels is damaged. Scientists continue to research other mechanisms to explain why people with diabetes are at such an increased risk of heart disease.
Getting Tested for Diabetes
You can determine whether you have diabetes by having the levels of glucose in the bloodstream measured. Before you take a test for diabetes, it is recommended that you go without food or drink for at least nine to twelve hours.
A normal result for a fasting glucose test is between 65 and 109 mg/ dL. A result that is lower than 65 mg/dL could indicate low blood sugar, also referred to as hypoglycemia. A result that is between 110 to 125 mg/ dL could indicate an impaired fasting glucose level, also known as prediabetes. A result that is higher than 126 mg/dL could indicate diabetes. Consult with your physician for further evaluation if your test indicates that you have hypoglycemia, pre-diabetes, or diabetes.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes
People often disregard the symptoms of diabetes. However, studies indicate that if diabetes is detected early, the likelihood that complications will develop can be reduced. Therefore, it is important to be knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of diabetes, particularly if you have a family history of this disease. The signs and symptoms of diabetes include the following:
Frequent urination
Excessive thirst
Unusual weight loss
Increased fatigue
Irritability
Numbness or tingling in feet or legs
Slow-healing cuts or bruises
Blurry vision
If you are concerned that you may have diabetes, discuss it right away with your health-care provider.
Diabetes Shoppe is one of the leading website for Diabetes Education. This website provides information on diabetes care and how to living with diabetes.
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We urge all diabetics to request a free diabetic alliance diabetes guide, and many will qualify for a free glucose meter as well.