If you are an adult with diabetes the facts are that the odds are not in your heart’s favor.
So, do you want the good news or the bad news first?
Let’s start with the bad news, and it’s not pretty.
These are straight facts about diabetes and heart disease:
- Diabetics are at a higher risk for heart disease
- Diabetics have additional causes of heart disease
- Diabetics tend to develop heart disease at a younger age
- Diabetics tend to have more severe heart disease
- Two out of three people with diabetes die from a heart attack or stroke
Those are pretty scary facts. Just reading those makes our hearts race a little.
But now for the good news, and yes, there is some.
You can lower your risks for heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes even if you are diabetic. Starting today you can care for your heart and your diabetes by:
- Reaching and staying at a healthy weight
- Getting at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day (Join our h2u group and try our Yoga classes!)
- Eating foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt and added sugar
- Eating more fiber- whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans
- Quitting smoking- Smoking alone doubles the risk of heart disease in people with diabetes
- Taking all medication as directed
- Talking to your physician about caring for your heart while caring for your diabetes
The extra good news is that the above list also helps you reduce your risks of most other diseases too and will help you live a healthy lifestyle. So make some small changes for your heart that will add up over time to increase your overall health and keep you around longer. That would be good news to everyone.
