The Link Between Diabetes and Heart Disease

By Sydney Boatman, Pharmacist.

Sponsored by Cannon Pharmacy

The Link Between Diabetes and Heart Disease

Did you know that diabetes and heart disease are closely connected? Almost 4 million adults in North Carolina have diabetes or pre-diabetes, and it is one of the top 10 reasons for American deaths; however, most don’t realize these deaths are from related heart diseases.

When you eat food, sugar is absorbed into your blood. From there, your muscles use this sugar for energy. When you have diabetes, your muscles have a difficult time with this, which leads to a lot of sugar floating around in your bloodstream not knowing where to go. All this sugar can be very damaging over time – especially to your heart.

Here are just a few tips to keep your heart healthy with diabetes:

• Get that blood flowing: Staying active is top of this list because it will help you lose weight and directly lower your blood sugar while your muscles use the sugar for energy.

• Keep tabs on the silent killers: High blood pressure and cholesterol are sometimes referred to as the silent killers of the health world. You can go years with no symptoms, then experience a severe heart attack or stroke with no warning. Because diabetes increases your risk of both these events, it is most important to get regular checks and discuss treatment with your doctors.

• Remember to take that pill: Missing your medication is much more harmful than most realize. You may not notice a change when you miss a dose of your blood pressure medicine, but these medicines are keeping you alive and away from the hospital.

• Remembering your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier: Nutrition

is a complicated subject that should be individualized based on your lifestyle. Fortunately, many doctor’s offices in Cabarrus County offer nutrition

counseling by pharmacists with specialties in diabetes care at no cost. These nutrition specialists can help you create a plan that works for you. n