Diabetes - A High Risk Factor For Coronary Heart Disease

It is alarming to know that every year diabetes mellitus kills more than 70,000 United States residents and about 20 million people in U. S. alone suffer from this disease. Five in hundred people in the U. K. are affected with diabetes. In Canada about 6 per cent of their population are with diabetes mellitus which invariably accounts for about 20,000 deaths annually according to experts. In addition, diabetes is a contributory factor in heart diseases and other related health conditions.



Diabetes is caused by the body resistance to, or deficiency of the hormone insulin which helps in removal of excess sugar from the blood stream into the body cells so that it can be used as a source of energy.



If this hormone insulin is deficient or ineffective, blood sugar rises causing excessive urination, hunger and thirst. Apart from excess urine, additional symptoms may include weight loss, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, irritability, weakness and fatigue.



There are two main types of diabetes:



Type 1: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus(IDDM) or otherwise known as juvenile onset diabetes, this type normally starts at childhood or early adulthood and has a very strong genetic components. This type is characterized by a complete lack of insulin as the name implies and must be treated with regular insulin injections.



This type 1 diabetes is also an autoimmune disease ( that is a condition whereby the body disease fighting immune system attacks the healthy tissues and cells). In this case the immune system attacks and destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas.



Type 2: Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or maturity onset diabetes tends to develop in middle age or older individuals particularly those who are obese.



In this case the pancreas secrets enough insulin, but the body cells seem resistant to the effects making the body to release more insulin in the blood by trying to overcome the resistance.



Most cases of type 2 diabetes can be managed with a combination of diet, exercise and oral medication. Symptoms includes repeated infections or skin sore that heals slowly or not at all, numbness in the hand or feet, tiredness and nausea.



For women, it is particularly important because diabetes seems to affect the female hormone and as a result, many women with diabetes develop coronary heart disease. Diabetes may cause blockage of large blood vessels that can lead to severe cardiovascular problems.



Studies have shown that some environmental factors can trigger type 1 diabetes in people with genetic predisposition for the disease.



Researchers attributes type 2 diabetes to obesity. So every pound of excess weight you gain increases your chance by 5 per cent at least.



Treatment includes controlling the amount of glucose in your blood stream depending on the type of diabetes, physical exercise, controlled diet and medication makes it less common. Most importantly, check your blood sugar regularly and see your physician for a more qualified advise.



A couple of drugs like, Glucophage, Actos, Precose, Avandis and many others have been developed to help with type 2 diabetes. Consult your doctor for a detailed and proper form of treatment.



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How Diabetes Causes Heart Attacks

A recent study from Washington University in St Louis may explain why more than 75 percent of diabetics die of heart disease (Journal for the American College of Cardiology, February 7, 2006). The heart muscle of diabetics uses a much higher percentage of fat for energy than that of non-diabetics, to markedly increase risk for heart attacks.



The energy source for heart muscle is mostly sugar and fat, and to a lesser degree, protein. Muscles need far more oxygen to process fat than to process sugar. The blood supply to heart muscle comes from large arteries on the outside of the heart. Diabetics have narrowed arteries because high blood sugar levels cause plaques to form and reduce the diameter of the coronary arteries. The increased need for blood flow from burning fat and the decreased blood flow from narrowed arteries put diabetics at very high risk for heart attacks, heart failure and sudden death. The increased use of oxygen increases blood levels of oxidants that further damage the inner linings of arteries.



Another study from Sweden shows that many people discover that they are diabetic only after they have had a heart attack. Researchers recorded blood sugar levels in men who had had heart attacks and then did sugar tolerance tests at discharge and three months later. They found that 35 percent had diabetic sugar tolerance tests at hospital discharge and 40 percent had impaired sugar tolerance tests three months later (Lancet, Volume 359, 2002).



Therefore, 40 percent of people who have heart attacks are diabetic, even though they may not know it. Many of the diabetics had normal HBA1C blood tests, the standard test to measure diabetic control. Furthermore, the patients who were unknown diabetics had a much higher rate of sudden death from their heart attacks than those who were not diabetic. The authors recommend that all people with heart attacks be tested for diabetes.

How Diabetes Causes Heart Attacks

A recent study from Washington University in St Louis may explain why more than 75 percent of diabetics die of heart disease (Journal for the American College of Cardiology, February 7, 2006). The heart muscle of diabetics uses a much higher percentage of fat for energy than that of non-diabetics, to markedly increase risk for heart attacks.



The energy source for heart muscle is mostly sugar and fat, and to a lesser degree, protein. Muscles need far more oxygen to process fat than to process sugar. The blood supply to heart muscle comes from large arteries on the outside of the heart. Diabetics have narrowed arteries because high blood sugar levels cause plaques to form and reduce the diameter of the coronary arteries. The increased need for blood flow from burning fat and the decreased blood flow from narrowed arteries put diabetics at very high risk for heart attacks, heart failure and sudden death. The increased use of oxygen increases blood levels of oxidants that further damage the inner linings of arteries.



Another study from Sweden shows that many people discover that they are diabetic only after they have had a heart attack. Researchers recorded blood sugar levels in men who had had heart attacks and then did sugar tolerance tests at discharge and three months later. They found that 35 percent had diabetic sugar tolerance tests at hospital discharge and 40 percent had impaired sugar tolerance tests three months later (Lancet, Volume 359, 2002).



Therefore, 40 percent of people who have heart attacks are diabetic, even though they may not know it. Many of the diabetics had normal HBA1C blood tests, the standard test to measure diabetic control. Furthermore, the patients who were unknown diabetics had a much higher rate of sudden death from their heart attacks than those who were not diabetic. The authors recommend that all people with heart attacks be tested for diabetes.

Diabetes is Serious and Can Put You at Risk For a Heart Attack Or Stroke

If you have been to your doctor recently, he/she may have advised that you have diabetes or you are a borderline diabetic. You might be overweight, you may be at risk of diabetes due to your lifestyle or you may be predisposed, because a relative has either had or been diagnosed with the disease.



Diabetes, in simple terms means that your blood sugar (blood glucose) is too high. Since your blood always maintains some glucose in it, your body uses the glucose for energy. But if you have too much glucose in the blood, it can be detrimental to your health. Glucose is added to the body from the food you eat. The bloodstream carries the glucose to all of your cells in the body.



Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas and the pancreas releases the insulin into the blood. The purpose of insulin is to help the glucose from ingested food get to your cells. In the case where your body does not produce an adequate amount of insulin or if the insulin, for whatever reason does not function properly, the glucose is unable to get to your cells, remaining in the blood. As a result, your blood glucose level will get too high, which can cause pre-diabetes or diabetes.



Pre-diabetes is defined as a condition in which the blood glucose levels are higher than what they should be. Most people who are diagnosed with pre-diabetes are usually at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and also have the risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke. stroke. If you have pre-diabetes, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting diabetes with, namely Weight loss and physical activity. But more importantly, they can help to lower your blood glucose to return to normal levels.



The major signs of diabetes can include any or all of the following:



1. excessive thirst



2. frequent urination



3. excessive hunger or tiredness



4. sores that heal very slowly



5. dry, itchy skin



6. numbness or tingling in your feet



7. blurry vision



You may have experienced one or more of these symptoms but it is possible you never had any symptoms at all. A simple blood test will check your glucose levels and the results will show if you are pre-diabetic or actually have diabetes.



Diabetes can strike anyone, at any age, so if you have been diagnosed, you will have one of the two types.



Type 1 diabetes, was previously referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes and it affects children through young adults.



In Type 1 diabetes, specialized cells located in the pancreas can no longer make insulin and for whatever reason, they have attacked and destroyed the immune system of the body. The usual treatment for Type 1 diabetes includes insulin injections. It is also stressed that you need to make wise choices of food and become more physically active.



Type 2 diabetes, was previously referred to as adult-onset diabetes or non insulin-dependent diabetes. This is the most common form of diabetes and anyone can develop Type 2 diabetes at any age.



In Type 2 diabetes, the condition manifests itself with insulin resistance. This is a condition in which the body's cells do not use the insulin produced properly.



Initially, the pancreas is able to keep up with the increased demand of the body to produce more insulin. But over time, the pancreas loses it's ability to produce an adequate amount of insulin when you ingest food.



When you are overweight and do not get any type of exercise, you increase your chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. The normal treatment for this type of diabetes includes using prescribed diabetes medicines, making wise choices in the foods you eat, exercising and being physically active and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.



Although there is no actual timeframe, over many years, diabetes can lead to very serious health problems with your eyes, kidneys, nerves, and gums and teeth. However, the most serious problem can be heart disease or stroke. When you do have diabetes, you become twice as likely as people without diabetes to suffer from heart disease or a stroke.



Diabetes, heart attack and stroke do not care if you are male or female, as both women and men are at risk. The absolute best way to take care of your health is see your doctor to both monitor and keep your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol in check and within normal limits. Remember this - every step you take towards your goals ill help you.

Can Vitamins Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease?

The interest in Vitamins A, C, and E stems from their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants interfere with the complex process through which LDL cholesterol starts plaque formation. Some animal studies and at least one human study also suggested that Vitamin C can improve the level of protective HDL cholesterol.



Antioxidants are molecules that work to reduce the damage done to cells and to DNA by free radicals: charged particles found in the environment and caused by everyday biological processes. It is clear that foods with rich antioxidants can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and scientists have been working to isolate the particular compounds responsible.



But, people who hope vitamins can protect their hearts actually need to eat healthy foods instead of popping pills, according to the statement made by the American Heart Association in August 2004.



A group of researchers, led by Professor Penny Kris-Etherton from Pennsylvania State University, had conducted a review of various studies on whether supplements can reduce heart disease risk. The results of the study, published in the journal Circulation, actually showed that vitamin pills have virtually no effect on reducing the risk of heart disease. There is little reason to advice individuals to take antioxidant supplements such as A and C to reduce cardiovascular disease.



Several research studies have also shown that people who took antioxidant supplements did not have a lower risk of cancer or heart disease, and one important Finnish study showed that male smokers who took supplements actually had a higher risk of lung cancer.



In another study conducted by the researchers at the Cleveland Clinic (CCF) had found that vitamin E did not actually provide any benefit in lowering mortality compared to control treatments, and it did not significantly decrease the risk of cardiovascular death or stroke. The lack of any beneficial effect was seen consistently regardless of the doses of vitamins used and the diversity of the patient populations. Therefore, the CCF researchers conclude that their study does not support the routine use of vitamin E.



All the studies mentioned above do not show any evidence that could support the fact that use of "vitamin supplements" such as A, C and E can benefit people with heart disease. Nonetheless, it is unarguable that the antioxidant properties of these vitamins do provide beneficial effect to reduce risk of heart disease.



Nutritionists and doctors now argued that it is probably a combination of compounds in foods that give the healthy antioxidant benefits. As such, the American Heart Association continues to promote a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, poultry and lean meats to derive antioxidant vitamin benefits.