Diabetes
According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, over 2 million Canadians have diabetes. Having diabetes increases the risk of other health complications, including heart disease but there are lots of things you can do to minimize these risks, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, attending regular medical check-ups and monitoring your blood sugar levels.
How is diabetes linked to heart health?
Diabetes substantially increases the risk of coronary heart disease. High blood sugar levels can affect the lining of the walls of the arteries, making it more likely for plaque to build up.
Diabetes also negatively increases the effect of other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.
What can you do?
Your doctor will be able to best advise you if you have diabetes.
If you have diabetes, it’s important to make sure you control your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. To help maintain ideal blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of coronary heart disease you should also:
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Participate in regular physical activity
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Follow a balanced diet based on Canada's Food Guide which you have developed together with your diabetes educator
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Achieve/maintain a healthy body weight
If you have diabetes you may have to take medication to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. You should talk to your doctor.
Did you know?
If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can result in a variety of complications, including:
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Heart disease
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Kidney disease
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Eye disease
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Problems with erection (impotence)
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Nerve damage
The first step in preventing or delaying the onset of these complications is recognizing the risk factors, as well as the signs and symptoms of diabetes.