10 Fast facts about heart disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is often linked to behavioural risk factors like smoking, eating the wrong kind of food, carrying too much weight, not exercising enough, and drinking too much alcohol. Screening for CVD, and other NCDs (non-communicable diseases) is essential for early detection, treatment and prevention of other health complications.

Diabetes and CVD

Did you know that people with diabetes are more at risk of developing heart disease? Here are the facts and what you can do about it:

1. Cardiovascular disease
   Both people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD includes both heart disease and problems with the circulatory system, including strokes.
   
   
2. Risk assessment
   What can you do? Get tested! A risk assessment will check your blood pressure, lipids and lipoproteins and see if you need to be concerned.
   
   
3. Smoking must stop
   Quit smoking! If you smoke with diabetes, your risk of developing CVD doubles.
   
   
4. Other risk factors
   Other risk factors also play a part: obesity, physical inactivity and a family history of CVD.
   
   
5. A heart-healthy diet
   Eat a heart-healthy diet. Cut down on saturated fats and avoid trans fats that raise cholesterol. Eat lean meat and choose a low fat diet as much as possible.
   
   
6. Warning signs
   If you have any feelings of numbness, confusion, impaired vision, severe headache or difficulty speaking, go to a hospital immediately. This could be signs of a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) – a warning sign for a stroke.
   
   
7. Fibre-rich diet
   Eat plenty of fibre to help lower cholesterol. Wholegrain breads, cereals, fruit, veggies, oatmeal, beans and pulses are all full of fibre.
   
   
8. Move your body
   Changing your lifestyle can decrease your risk of heart disease (and improve your blood sugar!) Time to get active…
   
   
9. High blood pressure
   Hypertension is an important risk factor for diabetics and CVD. Your blood pressure should not be over 130/80 – the ideal is 120/80. The secrets to good blood pressure are to drink less alcohol, don’t eat too much salt, keep at a healthy weight, exercise, stop smoking and visit your doctor regularly. You can do it!
   
10. Try your best
    As with anything to do with diabetes, all you can do is try your best to keep your blood sugar in the right range, and make the right lifestyle changes to live a happy, healthy life with diabetes – and CVD.

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Photo by Lucas George Wendt on Unsplash