Diabetic Heart Disease: Symptoms and Treatments
What is Diabetic Heart Disease?
Diabetic heart disease is another term for heart disease. If you have diabetes, you are more likely to get heart problems or have a stroke than people who don’t have diabetes, and you might get this problem at a younger age.
The effects of high blood sugar from diabetes can cause damage to your heart’s blood vessels and nerves. This damage can increase your chance of developing heart diseases, including:
- Coronary artery disease. It occurs slowly as a sticky plaque builds up in your arteries, restricting blood flow to your heart muscles.
- Heart disease. With this condition, your heart can’t pump enough blood required for your body.
- Cardiomyopathy: This is a group of diseases that can make your heart muscle thick or stiff.
- Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeat
If you are a diabetic person, sugar might store in your blood and leak out of the liver into your blood, with subsequent damage to your blood vessels and the nerves
A blocked coronary artery can slow or stop blood from supplying required oxygen and nutrients to your heart. As a result, the risk of heart disease increases the longer you have diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetic Heart Disease
Common Symptoms of Heart Disease Include:
- Shortness of breath
- Constant fatigue
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Weakness or numbness in your arms or legs
- Pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest
- Numbness, pain, or weakness in your arms or legs
- Pain in your throat, neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or back
- Swelling in your legs, abdomen, or areas around your eyes
- Indigestion, nausea, heartburn, or stomach pain
- Loud snoring or sleep apnea
Diabetic Heart Diseases Treatment
It is essential to have regular check-ups to identify any health problems. Early detection of heart disease and related issues can help your doctor create a treatment plan to reduce your risk of complications.
Track Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol
You can monitor your blood sugar levels at home to manage your diabetes and get your cholesterol and blood check-ups regularly every time you visit your doctor.
Lifestyle Changes
Diet: Food can have a direct impact on your heart health. Follow a heart-healthy diet, such as eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean protein, nuts, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.
Physical exercise: Regular exercise is vital for diabetic patients as you can go for a walk and jogging. Yoga can also help you manage your heart problems and other health issues.
Stress: Your mental health is equally important as your physical health. Too much stress can lead to high blood pressure
managing your stress is crucial in preventing heart disease and other health conditions.
Sleep: Getting enough quality sleep for 7 to 8 hours is very important to bust your stress and repair your heart organs
Medication or Surgery
Medication: Another good way to prevent heart disease is by taking your medicines as prescribed by the doctor
Surgery: You might need surgery in case you have developed heart disease. Treatment will vary from person to person, depending on the type of heart complication.
Dr. H.K Bali is the best Cardiologist in Chandigarh. Make an appointment with him for all the heart-related problems