These days, every other household around us has someone with diabetes. People often think that diabetes simply means cutting out sugar in their tea or avoiding rasgullas. Most people think that high blood sugar will weaken their eyesight or affect their kidneys, but few understand that high blood sugar attacks your heart first and foremost.
Doctors clearly state that if your blood sugar remains consistently high, it directly impacts your nerves and heart. Type 2 diabetes and heart health are closely linked. If you take your sugar lightly, you’re putting your heart at great risk.
Let’s put it simply: the blood vessels in our bodies are like pipelines, carrying blood and oxygen throughout the body. When the amount of glucose in the blood increases significantly, it causes the inner walls of the blood vessels to become rough and weak.
Inflammation begins to develop inside the blood vessels. Fat and debris, or plaque, rapidly accumulate in the veins. The arteries become stiff and narrow, forcing the heart to pump blood more forcefully. This increases the risk of heart attack or stroke significantly.
The biggest problem with diabetic patients is that they are not easily diagnosed with heart disease. A typical person experiencing a heart attack typically experiences symptoms such as severe chest pain, a strain, or arm pain.
However, in people who have been suffering from diabetes for a long time, their nerves become weakened. In medical terms, this is called neuropathy. This reduces the body’s ability to sense pain. As a result, the patient may not feel any severe chest pain, yet they may actually experience a heart attack. This is known as a silent heart attack.
If you have diabetes and suddenly experience the following symptoms, be alert immediately:
Profuse sweating without exertion
Mild chest heaviness or a strange uneasiness
Sudden shortness of breath or anxiety
Unexplained weakness or dizziness
In the above situations, a single daily blood sugar test is not enough. Patients often get their blood sugar checked on an empty stomach one morning and are happy when it’s normal. However, doctors say that a single day’s fasting reading doesn’t provide the full picture.
The HbA1c test is crucial for this. This test indicates your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. The target may vary for each individual, depending on your age and underlying medical conditions. Therefore, never increase or decrease your medication on your own. Some people, in an attempt to reduce their blood sugar, skip meals, which can lead to sudden drops, which can be even more dangerous.
Controlling diabetes and maintaining a healthy heart isn’t difficult. You just need to make some changes to your daily habits. To do this, consider the following:
1. Change your diet: Include more green vegetables, salads, and whole grains in your diet to provide your body with plenty of fiber. Eat pulses and sprouted grains. Completely avoid refined flour products, bakery biscuits, cold drinks, and excessively fried foods.
2. Break a sweat daily: Walk briskly for at least 30 minutes daily. If you have a pre-existing heart condition, consult your doctor before starting any strenuous exercise.
3. Light aerobics or yoga also helps insulin function properly in the body.
To protect your heart, simply checking your glucose meter readings won’t suffice.
Also, try to keep your blood pressure around 120/80.
Get your bad cholesterol (LDL) checked regularly. If you smoke bidis, cigarettes, or tobacco, quit today, as it rapidly clogs the arteries.
Keep belly fat and weight under control.
Most importantly, diabetes isn’t a disease you should fear and stop living. However, ignoring it can be fatal. By eating right, exercising moderately, and taking your medications on time, you can keep your heart in perfect health. When your blood sugar is under control, your heart will continue to beat smoothly for years to come.