Being in good cardiovascular health means having a healthy heart and healthy blood vessels. No one can afford to ignore the cardiovascular system. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among adults in the United States.
People with diabetes have extra reason to be mindful of heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes carries an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and complications related to poor circulation.
You can't change the fact that you have diabetes. But there are factors you can control. By taking charge of your health, you can work to prevent heart disease. Cutting down on your risk factors can help reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Risk Factors Diabetics Can Change
Some people with diabetes are at greater risk than others. If you have diabetes and:
- high blood pressure
- high blood fat levels
- smoke cigarettes
- have a family history of premature heart disease
- are obese
- are not physically active
You face a greater chance of heart disease. The more risk factors you add, the greater your risk.
Either type 1 or type 2 diabetes increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. People with type 1 diabetes are unlikely to get heart disease when they are young. Yet as they grow older, their risk becomes higher than the risk of their peers without diabetes.
Men with diabetes have a greater risk of cardiovascular disease than women. After menopause, the risk increases for women with diabetes. Estrogen replacement therapy can help reduce a woman's risk. It is an option to discuss with your doctor.
