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Ask An Expert

Does Diabetes Increase Risk of Heart Disease?

Astrin Damayanti

Astrin Damayanti, R.D.

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

Question:

I'm a woman (51) who has diabetes. I read recently that women with diabetes have a much greater risk of developing heart disease than those who don't have it. Why is this, and what can I do to protect myself from heart problems?

Answer:

Statistics have shown that the leading causes of death among people with diabetes are heart disease and stroke. That is because people with diabetes often times have hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and they smoke and are obese. Anyone with diabetes in combination with one or more of these risk factors will increase the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke. Evidence has also shown an increased inflammation of the arterial lining of patients with diabetes, a process that leads to heart disease.

So what can you do to reduce the risk of having a heart disease?
  • Keep your blood pressure under 120/80.
  • Keep your blood sugar in a normal range and A1C less than 6.5 percent or 7 percent (check with your doctor).
  • Keep your cholesterol in the healthy range, especially your LDL under 100.
  • Follow a low-fat diet, especially fats that come from animal products such as bacon, skin of chicken, sausages. Choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
  • If you smoke, quit.
  • If you are overweight or obese, start with losing 10 percent of your current weight.

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