Heart Disease & Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus increases risk for heart disease. Consider the following to reduce your risk for heart disease.

Heart disease is a disorder in which arteries become clogged and ultimately, blocked with plaque deposits causing a lack of blood flow to the heart.

There are 6 major risk factors for heart disease that can be treated or controlled by lifestyle changes and/or medications. These 6 risk factors are:

• obesity - a body weight 20% over the ideal body weight for height
• physical inactivity - lack of exercise, particularly cardiovascular exercise increases risk
• smoking - this is due to the stimulant (nicotine) that increases heart rate and the carbon monoxide breathed in
• elevated blood cholesterol
• elevated blood pressure - increased blood pressure equates to increased force for blood to move though the body (this means extra work for your body)
• diabetes - having diabetes increases your risk of heart disease
  

To reduce your risk...

• Maintain a healthy body weight - a reduction of 5-10% of total body weight can be beneficial.
• Exercise - incorporate 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week, every week.
• Don't smoke!
• Control blood sugar - talk with your doctor or diabetes educator about blood sugar goals.
• Follow a low fat diet .
• Limit processed and high sodium foods.
• Eat seafood twice a week - research is finding seafood has protective benefits against heart disease. Prepare seafood by baking, grilling or poaching instead of frying (frying adds fat).
• Focus on whole grains, vegetables, & fruits. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Talk with your doctor to learn about your risk factors for heart disease and what steps you should take to reduce your risk today!

Learn more about diabetes treatment by visiting the following link: http://www.glucomenu.com/new_research/default.asp