Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to die from heart disease or stroke as people without diabetes. This is because over time increased blood sugar from diabetes can damage endothelial blood vessels and the nerves that help control heart function.
High blood sugar and cardiovascular disease are interconnected. Nearly, 30 million people have diabetes in the USA, and a vast majority of our population unknowingly has what’s known as prediabetes, which quickly escalates into the disease within a short amount of time due to various risk factors.
Heart disease and the issue of high blood glucose are very closely associated because of many risk factors contributing to what’s known as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which the high insulin levels are resistant, causing a situation called insulin resistance plus additional imbalances leading to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and increased visceral fat which increase the risk for heart disease and can stress the kidneys.
Insulin is a hormone produced from the beta cells in the pancreas, which helps to move sugar into the blood for energy. In the case of insulin- resistance, the person has too much sugar, and the body cannot adequately utilize the source. This generally leads to a more sedentary lifestyle, weight gain, and obesity many times manifesting into other symptoms or conditions.
In recent years, metabolic syndrome has become a very common diagnosis in the offices of primary care physicians and cardiologist alike. When the vessels are circulating high glucose levels in the blood, atherosclerosis can occur leading to hardening of the arteries.
Unfortunately, sugar has become a significant staple in the standard American diet ( SAD Diet). In fact, the average American eats approximately 150 pounds of sugar on an annual basis. Normal fasting blood sugar should be around 70-99mg/dl. The normal A1C, which measures the blood glucose level, should be below 5.7%.
Diabetes type ll complications include: heart disease, kidney disease, vascular disease, neuropathy, skin conditions, stroke, vision loss, blindness, amputations, non-healing ulcers, alzheimer’s and dementias have occurred as well.
There is also growing number of individuals both young and old that are developing “prediabetes”. If this condition is left untreated their risk of heart disease, cognitive decline, strokes, and other adverse conditions are extremely high due to impending diabetes.
Being proactive about your health is critical. The earlier the diagnosis is made, the better the outcome and prospect for reversal of this common disorder.
By making the essential lifestyle and behavioral changes now, like being more active ( moderate exercise doing something you enjoy to get your heart rate up), making healthier food choices and eliminating sugar, and reducing stress can go a long ways towards keeping you healthy and minimizing your risk of both prediabetes and diabetes.
Since November is National Diabetes Month, implement some of these simple preventive strategies today. Your body and mind will thank you later.!
For questions or comments, call 239-481-7322 or visit http://www.cypresspharmacy.com. We can help you on your journey to better health.
