Diabetes is one condition that must be treated as soon as it is
diagnosed, even though in its early stages it doesn't hurt, or
cause inconvenience, or create any worrisome symptoms. But
ignoring it is a mistake, because the blood sugar imbalance we
diabetics live with can cause a variety of complications, even
leading to other serious health conditions.
One major cause for concern is adverse effects on our hearts.
Our unstable blood sugar levels can cause poor circulation--a
big step on the road to heart problems. Here are some things to
watch for.
Hypertension
Diabetes often goes hand-in-hand with high blood pressure, or
hypertension. In fact, your doctor will tell you that diabetics
must work to get their blood pressure down even lower than other
people. While a systolic pressure (the top number) of 140 might
be acceptable for the general population, we diabetics should
aim for 130 or lower. It's all part of the battle against
possible heart disease.
Blood fats
Cholesterol and tryglycerides, or blood fats, also need to be
kept lower in diabetics. Lots of fruits and vegetables, fewer
packaged or fried foods are your best bets for dietary blood fat
control. Throw out that frying pan!
Blood sugar
Blood sugar levels need monitoring too, as consistently high
levels damage blood vessels and can lead to cardiovascular
difficulties.
Weight level
And of course you know it's important to maintain a healthy
weight. Why is that particularly important for us diabetics?
First, if you are overweight your heart muscle needs to work
harder to pump blood through your system. This weakens your
blood vessels, which are then more susceptible to damage from
fluctuating blood sugar levels. It's a vicious cycle you don't
want to create.
Your heart is the main engine of your whole body, so you need to
do everything possible to keep it in good shape. For the sake of
a healthy heart, take control of your diabetes.
About the author:
Bob Fleming suffers from Type 2 diabetes, but he does everything
he can to suffer as little as possible! Visit his website at
http://www.thediabetesinfoplace.com for informative articles and
resources, and sign up to receive
Bob's free weekly
diabetic-friendly dessert recipe!
