Diabetes and Heart Disease

Diabetes and Heart Disease

India is about to become the Diabetes capital of the world, as India has currently around 7 crores patients with diabetes and this number is expected to go above 12 crores by 2040.

Looking at the lifespan of a diabetes patient, around 65% of the patients of diabetes, die due to blood vessel related disease in diabetes and out of them almost 80% of patient die due to heart attack only. In fact Diabetes patients are 2 to 4 times more likely to have Heart disease than people without diabetes.

Diabetes patients have 2 to 4 times more risk of heart attack:
Dr Jimit Vadgama Diabetologist

The increasing incidence of Diabetes in General Population along with Heart Diseases, has also increased the number of patients having both Diabetes & Heart Diseases together. Because of which now it is becoming mandatory for the Treating doctors to mandatory connect Diabetes & Heart Diseases, while treating that patient.

Indian diabetes patients different compared to Caucasians, as Indians have more stomach area fat even though they look thin overall. Indians get Diabetes at younger age and also Indian diabetes patients get heart disease 10 years earlier then patients without diabetes.

Why diabetes increases risk for Heart disease?

In Diabetic Patients, the Coronary Blood Vessels that supply blood to the Heart Muscles, to help in its pumping function, get blocked more frequently & at relatively earlier age, so as to reduce its efficiency to pump blood. High levels of blood glucose can make the blood coagulation system more active, increasing the risk of blood clots. Secondly, Multiple Blood Vessel is commonly blocked in diabetes, which leads to more requirements of Bypass surgeries as compared to single stent insertion after a heart attack.

The following conditions increase risk for developing heart disease in Diabetes.

Risk Factors for Diabetes and heart attack :
Dr Jimit Vadgama Diabetologist

·         Obesity is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke and also for high BP and cholesterol.

·         Lack of physical activity is another modifiable major risk factor for obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

·         High blood pressure is a well-known major risk factor for heart disease. When patients have both diabetes and High BP, their risk for heart attack doubles.

·         High cholesterol levels: Diabetes patients have usually High LDL ("bad") cholesterol, low HDL ("good") cholesterol, and high triglycerides. This combination of 3 cholesterol problems, lead to increased risk of Heart attack.

·         Smoking/Tobacco increases the risk for heart disease even if you don’t have diabetes.

·         Family History: As Diabetes and Heart disease have common risk factors, family history is common to both of them.

·         Uncontrolled Diabetes (High Blood Sugar levels) can cause blood sugar to rise to dangerous levels and further affect heart as described above.

Does Having Heart Disease and Diabetes together changes management?

In past, a particular Anti Diabetic Medicine, was observed to generate significant Negative Impact on Heart & therefore it generated tremendous awareness about the association between Diabetic Drugs & its Impact on Heart. Since then, now all newer anti diabetes medications are evaluated mandatory, for their specific side effects on heart. The biggest advantage of this Mandatory Testing has been the identification of New Medications that are in fact helpful way in Heart Diseases. Heart friendly drugs for diabetes like SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP1-RAs are highly recommended now in every guideline.

Secondly, Diabetes patient who develops new heart attack, the pain may not be felt and it can be a silent attack. So any chest pain or related symptoms must not be ignored by patients and must visit a physician for ECG.

Diabetes can have silent heart attack : Dr Jimit Vadgama Diabetologist

Thirdly, after a heart attack, strict sugar control is must. After a stent insertion, if sugar is not controlled, the new stent can be blocked.  For Bypass surgery patient, high sugar levels can cause stitch infection also. If required, insulin may be started for strict sugar control

How can we prevent Heart disease in Diabetes?

Strict and persistent blood sugar control along with healthy lifestyle is the key to prevent heart disease in diabetes. Remember, along with sugar, maintaining normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels are of utmost importance. Healthy Diet should include lots of fibres and proteins while significantly reducing refined carbohydrates and oils. Regular exercise/ physical activity of at least 1 hour or more per day is recommended for Asians. Complete stoppage of Smoking and Tobacco is also must.

Living a healthy lifestyle without stress and preventing all risk factors can avoid heart disease in diabetes and all diabetes patients can have a healthy and long life ahead….

Dr. Jimit Vadgama

Diabetes, Thyroid & Hormone Specialist,

Swaminarayan Diabetes, Thyroid & Hormone clinic, 

Surat

Phone - 9537881438

Dr Jimit Vadgama was rated best diabetologist in surat