Diabetes Can Increase Risk of Heart Disease, 5 steps to Prevent The Same : Suggestion By Diabetologists In Vashi, Navi Mumbai | Dr. Vinod Methil

 

Diabetics in general have a higher risk of heart ailments. Studies have suggested that 60% of diabetic patients above the age of 65 years are at a risk of heart attack. Over the past few years we are increasingly seeing this in younger population. The central pathological mechanism in Heart disease is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is known to lead to coronary heart disease and cardiovascular events. With close to 70% mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in people with type 2 diabetes. The risk factors of CVD are age, obesity, tobacco use, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension. Diabetes itself is an independent risk factor of CVD.¹

How does diabetes affect the heart?

People with diabetes (particularly type 2 Diabetes) frequently have many traditional risk factors for CVD, including central obesity, dyslipidaemia (high serum triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and free fatty acid levels and low high-density lipoprotein levels), and hypertension, the combination of which constitutes the metabolic syndrome. These factors, together with the independent risk factor of diabetes, can independently as well as cumulatively increase risk of CVD significantly over time. Hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance, when combined with dyslipidaemia, hypertension and chronic inflammation, can damage blood vessels, resulting in macrovasculopathy and CVD in people with type 2 Diabetes

It has been shown that the risk of myocardial infarction (Heart attack) in people with diabetes is equivalent to the risk in nondiabetic patients who have already had a Heart attack.

Further evidence of the association between diabetes and CVD is provided by the observation that most patients with coronary heart disease have insulin resistance or frank diabetes.

Diabetes generally occurs due to insulin resistance in the body. This resistance can also lead to high blood pressure. It occurs because as the blood sugar level goes up, the body tries to compensate by increasing the insulin levels leading to hyperinsulinemia. Which leads to Atherosclerosis (blockage of the blood vessels. The diabetogenic lipid condition significantly increases the rate of cholesterol deposition in the blood vessels as compared to a non-diabetic. Which can occur anywhere in the body. However, preliminary symptoms can be seen in places where the blood vessels are relatively thin like the brain, heart, renal blood vessels or where the sources of blood supply is limited like the foot. However, due the increasing bad lifestyle, we are witnessing an increase in diabetes induced heart complications. This is increasingly being seen in younger diabetic patients.

Who is at a risk of severe diabetic heart complications:

Generally speaking, almost every diabetic patient who does not have his critical parameters in check is at a risk of severe diabetic heart condition. Nonetheless, patients who have a family history of heart condition have an increased risk of heart condition.

Early symptoms of heart ailments due to Diabetes:

Unlike a normal person who would have severe chest pain when having a heart attack; a diabetic patient may not experience similar pain. Hence, diabetes is known to be a silent killer However, there are some symptoms which could occur. Some early signs could be

1. Breathless on minimal exertion & dizziness
2. Heaviness in the chest
3. Palpitations

How we at Sweet Clinic saved a patient form a heart attack

We had a 45 year old female patient who was diabetic with a high blood pressure but no cardiac history. She was on typical medication for controlling her diabetes and high blood pressure. She even did her regular medical check-ups. Nonetheless, in one of her regular diabetic check-ups she mentioned of breathlessness. Our Diabetologist; Dr. Vinod Methil, who is quite pedantic when it comes to such symptoms in his patients, immediately asked her to do a heart rate variability test (We being the only clinic in Navi Mumbai to offer such a test). The test result suggest that she might have Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN)a frequent but underdiagnosed complication of Diabetes. Following which she was referred to a heart specialist for an angiography. During angiography a heart block was identified and needed a stent to remove the block. This prompt action saved her form a potential heart attack and helped save her life too. All thanks to Dr. Vinod Methil and his team at Sweet clinics.

Steps to prevent diabetic heart complications:

Most diabetic patients only concentrate on blood sugar fasting & PP. They often ignore other critical parameters like cholesterol, lipids, creatinine etc. which can help prevent from diabetes induced complications. Hence, at Sweet clinics some of the preventing measures that we do with our patients include:

1. First and foremost, one needs to bring the Blood sugar, Blood pressure & cholesterol in tight control.

It’s important to know that normal blood pressure in Diabetic patients is slightly lower than that of a regular person. For Diabetic and hypertensive individuals at higher cardiovascular risk (existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk >15%), a blood pressure target of <130/ 80 mmHg may be appropriate, if it can be safely attained.

1. Similarly, the lipids & cholesterol need for Diabetics with no high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol of 100 milligrams per decilitre of blood is considered ok. However, if a Diabetic has already had a cardiac problem identified the LDL cholesterol should be less than 70 milligrams per decilitre of blood.
2. In individuals with Diabetes having multiple atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk factors, it is reasonable to start with high-intensity statin therapy.
3. For subjects who are unable to tolerate the intended intensity, the maximally tolerated statin dose should be considered.
4. The above parameters need to be brought in control by using medications and bringing about lifestyle changes like controlling ones weight, employing healthy lifestyle like regular exercise and stop smoking while limiting or eliminating alcohol altogether.
5. Source: https://www.sweetclinics.com/diabetes-can-increase-risk-of-heart-disease-5-steps-to-prevent-the-same/

What can diabetic patients do to prevent vision loss...?

Diabetes is a complicated condition, and its impact on the eyes — known as diabetic eye disease — is the leading cause of blindness in middle-aged adults.

Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood, leading to injury of the small blood vessels throughout the body. Patients with diabetes can experience dysfunction in the kidneys, a loss of sensation in the hands and feet and other problems related to their condition.

Diabetes and the Eyes
Diabetes can threaten a patient’s sight in a few ways:

blood vessels become leaky, leading to swelling of the retina (diabetic macular edema).
an interruption of blood supply to the retina (ischemia), sometimes leading to the formation of new abnormal blood vessels.
a progressive degeneration of the retina (diabetic retinopathy).

Sweet Clinics Diabetes eye Care clinic in Vashi offered the following sight-saving tips for patients diagnosed with diabetes:

1) Get dilated eye exams as often as your doctor recommends.
In general, patients with diabetes should be seen by an ophthalmologist at least once a year.there are certain factors that may warrant more frequent visits. “Patients who are pregnant or have more advanced features of diabetic eye disease could be asked to come in as often as every month,”.

2)Keep track of hemoglobin A1C, and take steps to lower your blood sugar if it’s too high.
The hemoglobin A1C test is a blood test performed in a doctor’s office that measures your average level of blood sugar over the past 3 months. If the test comes back high, controlling your blood sugars will help to bring it down.

3)Eat a healthy diet.
Choosing healthy foods and maintaining a healthy weight will lower blood pressure, reduces “bad” cholesterol and leads to overall better diabetic control — and it lowers your risk for diabetic eye disease.

4) Exercise.
Exercise is also very important and leads to better diabetic control. Exercising regularly helps to lower “bad” cholesterol and raise the “good,” lowers blood pressure, lowers weight and reduces your risk of just about every diabetes-associated condition, including diabetic eye disease.

5)Don’t smoke.
while there isn’t conclusive evidence that smoking is a risk factor for diabetic eye disease, he always tells his patients to avoid smoking. Smoking increases your risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) and associated cardiovascular risk factors.

Do You Have Diabetes? Here Are 5 Ways To Protect Your Eye Health

Diabetic retinopathy is a frequent complication of diabetes. An elevation in blood sugar can damage the delicate blood vessels inside the eye, causing them to leak, bleed and become blocked. The damage from diabetic retinopathy is usually permanent. Diabetes can also contribute to changes in nearsightedness, farsightedness and premature presbyopia (the inability to focus on close objects with age). The disease may also contribute to the onset of cataracts, glaucoma, strabismus (lack of eye alignment) and decreased corneal sensitivity.

Maintaining control of your diabetes is crucial. Regular visits to your physician are necessary, along with adherence to your doctor’s instructions on diet, exercise and medication. Following the right steps to maintaining your diabetes can greatly reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Protect your eye health. Follow the tips below to take care of your eyes if you have diabetes.

SCHEDULE REGULAR, COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMS.

Talk to your Midwest Eye Consultants optometrist about how often you should schedule a dilated eye exam. This type of exam allows for better visualization of the retinas, which can give an indication of the presence of a diabetic eye condition. Our doctors can handle your changing eyes with new glasses or contact lenses. In some cases, surgical procedures may be necessary.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

Are you monitoring your blood sugar regularly? Exercising, eating healthy, taking your medication as prescribed by your doctor and monitoring blood sugar regularly are all great steps to controlling your blood sugar and living a healthy lifestyle. According to the ADA (American Diabetes Association), people with uncontrolled blood sugar levels are four times more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy.

MONITOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE & CHOLESTEROL

Changes in the retina can be due to high blood pressure. This condition is called hypertensive retinopathy. This condition can lead to blockage of retinal arteries or veins, which can ultimately result in the loss of vision. Your doctor will look for tiny cholesterol-containing plaques in the retinal blood vessels as well as other blood vessel changes like narrowing and thickening. Make sure you are monitoring your blood pressure and taking care of your health; cut back on caffeine, quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, reduce sodium in your diet, and see your doctor regularly.

EAT FOR YOUR EYES.

Use the diabetes plate method for healthy meals. Fill half of your plate with watery veggies like kale, spinach, cucumber, brussels sprouts or broccoli. One quarter of your plate should be reserved for meat, fish, poultry, tofu, eggs, nuts or other foods high in protein. Reserve one quarter for breads, starches or grains which includes dry beans and starchy vegetables. Fill one small cup with milk or yogurt and one small cup with fruit, applesauce, or fruit juice. Use healthy fats in small amounts for cooking or include nuts, seeds or avocados. Eating healthy foods will help prevent the conditions that come with diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy.

GET REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

Exercise is considered an integral part of diabetes therapy. Not only does exercise improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, it helps with flexibility and well-being. However, you should discuss with your doctor to develop an exercise regimen that works for you. For example, patients who have had significant eye complications caused by diabetes are advised to avoid contact sports that could injure the eye further. Moderate-intensity activity, like walking or bicycling, are great options for exercise.

Take care of your eyes. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today at Best Diabetes eye Care clinic in Vashi and follow these tips to prevent diabetic retinopathy from affecting your life.