Diabetes Drives Up Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

11/23/2021

MOBERLY, Mo., (November 23, 2021) – November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and the American Diabetes Association uses this time to educate about the risks of diabetes. In recent years, the American Heart Association has identified diabetes as one of the seven major, and controllable, risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Adults with diabetes are about 50 percent more likely to die of the effects of a heart attack than adults without diabetes, according to a study of 700,000 people over ten years by the University of Leeds.

“Although there have been significant advances in the treatment of heart disease over the last couple of decades, those with diabetes are still at a very high risk of heart attack and stroke,” said Dr. Dana Valencia, cardiologist at Moberly Regional Medical Center. Diabetes doesn’t have to be a death sentence, however. It can be avoidable, and sometimes reversible, with serious lifestyle changes.”

Diabetes by itself is now regarded by many clinicians as the strongest risk factor for heart disease. But if you’re diabetic, it’s not enough to just control your blood sugar levels. The blood vessels in patients with diabetes are more susceptible to other well-established risk factors, including smoking, obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure – and more than 90% of patients with diabetes have one or more of these additional risk factors.

The good news is, the guidelines to prevent heart disease and diabetes are very similar.

• Keep your blood glucose in healthy range – fasting blood sugar should be consistently under 100. Possibly more importantly are your A1C levels are a measure of your blood glucose levels over the previous three months.
• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, at least five days per week.
• Eat a balanced diet of whole, unprocessed foods – focusing on a variety of high quality fruits and vegetables.
• Keep blood pressure below 130/80 or 140/90 – especially if you have diabetes.
• Keep cholesterol and triglycerides in normal range, with a focus on ‘bad cholesterol’ (LDL). LDL should be no higher than 100 mg/dl in adults with diabetes.
• Keep your weight and BMI in normal range. Body Mass Index should be no higher than 25.
• If you smoke, STOP.

“The best way to prevent or delay death from heart disease is simply to prevent diabetes itself,” Dr. Valencia said. “Get with your doctor to learn and see if you are at risk, and see what you can do to get your health under control.”

For more information about preventing or managing diabetes or heart disease, schedule an appointment with a physician who can help you create, and stick to, a plan. Contact Moberly Rural Health Clinic at (660) 263-9095 or moberlyphsyicians.com for referrals to primary care physicians, cardiologists and more.

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