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Diabetes and Heart

DIABETES AND HEART

What causes Heart attacks?

A sudden block usually due to a blood clot that affects the normal blood flow to the heart is the usual cause of a heart attack.

Atherosclerosis
Deposition of fat in the walls of blood vessels is known as atherosclerosis.

Warning signals for heart attack

ANGINA PECTORIS

This term means chest pain but it could also be a discomfort behind the stanum or breastbone – produced by exertion and relieved by rest.

ANGINA EQUIVALENT
Breathlessness, pain in the arms and jaw, especially on the exertion which is also relieved by rest.

Symptoms of Heart Attack

  1. Prolonged chest discomfort, lasting more than a few minutes, usually behind the breastbone heaviness; choking or a feeling of     pressure of tightness.
  2. Difficulty in breathing
  3. Sweating
  4. Weakness and Palpitation

REMEMBER HOWEVER THAT IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, YOU MAY NOT FEEL ANY PAIN AT ALL DURING A HEART ATTACK

RISK FACTORS FOR HEART ATTACK

  • * Diabetes mellitus
  • High cholesterol levels in the blood
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Stress
  • Smoking
  • Positive family history of heart attacks
  • Low levels of HDL
  • Sedentary life style / Lack of exercise

Types of Lipids:
Three kinds of lipids are present in the blood

  • HDL (high density lipoproteins)
  •  LDL (low density lipoproteins); and
  •  Triglycerides

Total cholesterol level in the blood is used as a screening tool. One should aim for a total cholesterol level less than 200 mg/dl and LDL less than 100 mg/dl to decrease the risk for heart attacks.

For diabetic patients the level for LDL (bad) cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dl. Triglycerides in the blood tend to be high when blood glucose is high. High triglycerides also tend to lower the HDL or the good cholesterol.

How to prevent heart attacks?

  • Lower the fat intake and increase the fibre intake in the diet.
  • Regular exercise for at least 30-45 mins at least 5 times/week.
  • Maintaining ideal body weight.
  • Control your blood pressure.
  • Check your cholesterol once in six months and keep LDL (bad) cholesterol within the normal limits    if neccessary with drugs like Statins.
  • Increase HDL (good cholesterol) by exercise.
  • Control diabetes well.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Reduce stress.
  • Asprin if recommended by your doctor.