Research shows that heart disease and diabetes are closely linked to each other. Meaning, a person with diabetes is more likely to develop heart problems in comparison to others. However, this is not just a mere coincidence as diabetes itself has a direct impact on heart health. That’s why understanding this connection would be very helpful for you.

The Relationship Between Diabetes and Heart Diseases

Obesity: Excess weight, especially abdominal fat, increases the risk of both diabetes and heart disease.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Both high blood pressure and diabetes increase the risk of heart disease. Having both can further exacerbate the risk of heart issues.

Abnormal Cholesterol Levels: High levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) can clog blood vessels, while higher levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol) can lower the risk of heart disease. That’s why it’s vital to follow a healthy and strict dietary restriction to manage your cholesterol levels.

Ask your doctor or nutritionist to suggest you diet containing good cholesterol. However, some cases may require you to take medicines, and for that, you must consult your cardiologist, before deciding whether your cholesterol is manageable without medicinal intervention.

Physical Inactivity: Lack of exercise not only contributes to weight gain but also increases the likelihood of developing both heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Poor Diet: Diets high in refined grains, added sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats contribute to both conditions, leading to higher blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Besides the common risk factors between heart health and diabetes, here are some additional factors you should know about:

Tobacco Consumption and Smoking: Smoking and tobacco consumption raises the risk of heart disease by narrowing blood vessels, and when combined with diabetes, it can also lead to lung disease, leg infections, and even amputations.

Chronic Kidney Disease: Diabetes can lead to kidney damage, which impairs your body from filtering blood, leading to heart-related complications.

Family History: A family history of heart disease increases your likelihood of developing the condition. If you have diabetes and a family history of heart disease, it becomes even more important to take proactive steps to protect your heart and reduce stroke risk.

Now that we understand the connection between diabetes and heart disease, next we will explore exactly how diabetes affects heart health. 

How Does Diabetes Affect the Heart?

Diabetes increases the levels of blood sugar in your blood, and the levels keep on increasing if it is not controlled on time. When left untreated, this can damage your blood levels and nerves not only your body, but also the ones controlling your heart.

An increase in blood sugar can cause inflammation in your blood vessels, building plagues, and narrowing your arteries. This makes it harder for your heart to pump blood.

Another thing is, that your body needs nitric oxide, which helps your blood vessels to relax and allow better blood flow. However, diabetes can lower the enzymes responsible for the production of nitric oxide, creating more heart health issues.

With damaged blood vessels, your heart has to work much harder to supply the required oxygen and nutrients to your body. Failing to do that increases the chance of having a heart attack, failure or stroke.

The Increased Risk of Heart Disease in People with Diabetes

People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than those without diabetes. This heightened risk is largely due to the combination of poor blood sugar control and the presence of other risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. The damage to blood vessels caused by high blood sugar can increase the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease, where plaque buildup narrows the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

How People with Diabetes Can Protect Their Heart

Despite the increased risks, there are many steps people with diabetes can take to protect their heart health. Here’s what you can do:

• Control Blood Sugar: Regularly monitoring and managing blood sugar levels is key to reducing the risk of complications, including heart disease. This can be achieved through a healthy diet, exercise, and medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
• Manage Blood Pressure: Keeping blood pressure within a healthy range is crucial for heart health. If you have high blood pressure, lifestyle changes, and medications may be necessary.
• Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels: Lowering LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and raising HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) can reduce plaque buildup in the arteries, improving heart health.
• Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help manage both blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Avoid processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
• Stay Active: Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, reduce blood pressure, and improve overall cardiovascular health. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week.
• Take Prescribed Medications: If your doctor has prescribed medications to control blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol, make sure to take them as directed. Medications like sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists) have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease in people with type 2 diabetes.

Foods That Promote Heart and Diabetes Health

To manage both diabetes and heart disease, it’s important to focus on foods that help lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. These include:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables: Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
• Whole grains: Brown rice, whole grain bread, and pasta help stabilize blood sugar.
• Lean protein: Sources like skinless chicken, fish, and legumes provide essential nutrients without added fats.
• Healthy fats: Olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds offer heart-healthy fats that reduce inflammation.
• Low-fat dairy: Helps keep cholesterol levels in check.

Testing and Monitoring for Heart Disease

If you have diabetes, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to monitor your heart health. Regular testing can help identify potential issues before they become severe. Common tests include:

• Blood tests: These assess cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar levels.
• Echocardiograms and stress tests: These tests check how well your heart is pumping blood and its response to physical activity.
• Electrocardiograms (EKG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart to check for irregularities.

Conclusion

The link between diabetes and heart disease is well-established, with both conditions sharing common risk factors and mutually exacerbating each other. However, by carefully managing blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure combined with adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, people with diabetes can significantly reduce their risk of developing heart disease. Working closely with your healthcare provider and making lifestyle adjustments can help protect your heart and improve your overall quality of life.