Understanding the relationship between diabetes and heart disease

If you live with diabetes, understanding the relationship between diabetes and heart disease is essential. People living with diabetes are more likely to experience other conditions that could lead to cardiovascular issues. According to the National Institutes of Health, high blood glucose from diabetes can damage blood vessels. And the longer you have diabetes, the higher the possibility that you may develop heart disease.

The good news is that you can take steps to prevent heart complications. These four tips support heart health and minimize potential health risks such as a heart attack or a stroke.

1. Understand your numbers

Your doctor likely keeps a close watch on your A1C, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. Knowing how these work together can give you a better understanding of how to prevent heart disease.

For example, cholesterol levels affect the heart — and knowing your numbers is crucial to maintaining heart health. Start by understanding the difference between good and bad cholesterol, and learn ways to improve your cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association recommends eating a heart-healthy diet as one way to keep your cholesterol in check.

If you have access to an online medical portal, you'll be able to see your blood work trends over time and whether your health activities have led to improvements. If you have any questions about your reports or how you can improve your numbers, don't hesitate to ask your doctor. They may also be able to offer additional tips on how to prevent heart disease.

2. Recognize symptoms of a heart attack

Since diabetes may increase your risk of heart disease, it's important to know the signs of a heart attack.

When cholesterol and fat accumulate in the blood vessels and arteries, the heart has to work harder to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body. The strain on the heart to pump blood through the arteries, if not managed, can result in high blood pressure and a heart attack.

The warning signs of a heart attack may include:

Pain or pressure in the chest area lasting longer than a few minutes (or that goes away and returns)
Discomfort or pain in one or both arms, shoulders, back, neck, or jaw
Difficulty breathing or being unable to catch your breath that results in feeling dizzy
Indigestion or nausea
A sudden feeling of exhaustion

If you or someone you know experience any of these signs, call 911 immediately.

3. Increase your fiber intake

If you're counting carbs, you're also counting fiber, which is beneficial in reducing high cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight, and supporting heart health.

Consider adding more fiber to your diet, which can be found in the following foods:

Kidney, navy, pinto, or black beans
Spinach, collards, and kale
Grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and limes
Sweet potatoes and tomatoes
Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries
Whole grains, including whole oats, quinoa, farro, and whole-grain barley

4. Consider a heart-healthy diet

If your doctor hasn't discussed the benefits of a plant-based or Mediterranean diet with you, it might be time to ask.

Research from The New England Journal of Medicine has shown the cardiovascular benefits of the Mediterranean diet. This way of eating focuses on whole grains, healthy oils and fats, fruits, vegetables, beans, and primarily fish or white meats, in addition to drinking lots of water. The health benefits of this diet are highly favorable and can also support blood sugar levels.

And according to Kaiser Permanente, plant-based foods have many health benefits, aiding in weight control, lowering cholesterol, and reducing the risk of heart disease.

By understanding how to maintain a healthy heart, you can reduce worry about the relationship between diabetes and heart disease. As always, consult your doctor about health questions, diet, and the effects of lifestyle changes on type 1 diabetes management.

For more tips on reducing complications of diabetes, visit the Health Insights blog.