Diabetes and Your Heart

by Bob Fleming

You must seek treatment for diabetes as soon as it is diagnosed, even though at the beginning it doesn't hurt, cause inconvenience or any bothersome symptoms. But ignoring it is a mistake, because the blood sugar imbalance we diabetics live with can cause a variety of complications that can easily lead to other serious health problems. Our hearts are very much at risk with these complications. Here are some things to look out for.

Hypertension (also known as high blood pressure)

Diabetes often goes hand-in-hand with high blood pressure. In fact, your doctor will tell you that diabetics must work to get their blood pressure down even lower than other people. A systolic pressure (the top number) of 140 might be OK for the general population, we diabetics should aim for 130 or less. It's all part of the battle to protect our hearts.

Blood fats

Cholesterol and tryglycerides are blood fats, and we diabetics must also have those at lower levels than other people. This is best done through our diets---lots of fruits and vegetables, less packaged or fried food are the best bets. So throw away that frying pan!

Blood sugar

High blood sugar is, of course, what diabetes is all about, and we must monitor it and keep it under control. If it consistently runs too high, it can damage our blood vessels and lead to cardiovascular problems.

Weight level

Of course you know it's important to maintain a healthy weight. Why is that particularly important for us diabetics? Well if you are overweight, your heart muscle has to work harder to pump your blood through your body. This weakens the blood vessels, which are often susceptible to damage from fluctuating blood sugar levels. It's a vicious cycle you don't want to create!

Your heart is the main engine of your whole body, so you need to do everything you can to keep it in good shape. For the sake of a healthy heart, take control of your diabetes. < /P>