Index
- Major Cardiovascular Conditions Relating to Diabetes
- A brief reminder of the characteristics of type 2 diabetes
- How do you explain the cardiovascular complications of diabetes?
- Cardiovascular disease in diabetics
- What can be done to prevent the cardiovascular complications of diabetes?
Major Cardiovascular Conditions Relating to Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases affecting people around the world. For good reason, it can affect children, young people and adults alike. Also, diabetes can come in many forms and can even affect pregnant women. Over time, when a patient's blood sugar level is not under control, complications can occur. These can be very serious and can affect various organs. Of these, the heart and the vascular system are usually the first to be affected. Cardiovascular problems related to diabetes are numerous and can be fatal if no intervention is made. Find out in the following what the most common cardiovascular problems in people with diabetes are.
A brief reminder of the characteristics of type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular disease discussed in this article is most relevant to people with type 2 diabetes. This form of diabetes is usually caused by being overweight or obese. It is therefore the most common form of the disease. It manifests itself as chronic hyperglycaemia due to insulin resistance. The patient's pancreas can still produce insulin, but it is the organs of the pancreas that become less and less sensitive to the hormone in question. Over time, the liver, muscles, and fatty tissue gradually lose their ability to absorb sugar. As a result, blood sugar levels rise.
In the short term, the body responds to this hyperglycemia by increasing the production of insulin. Over time, insulin resistance eventually depletes the pancreas. It then stops producing this hormone. Damage to the cardiovascular system occurs and can be detrimental to the patient's health. And in type 2 diabetics, the risk of cardiovascular disorders is higher than in type 1 diabetics.
How do you explain the cardiovascular complications of diabetes?
There are several factors that help explain the relationship between cardiovascular health and diabetes. Simply put, excess blood sugar causes premature aging of vessels and arteries. This deterioration can be explained by the formation of plaque on the walls of blood vessels. This premature aging favours the occurrence of various cardiovascular problems such as myocardial infarction, high blood pressure or stroke. In addition, diabetes can also cause damage to the small vessels that supply blood to the eye.
For example, the incidence of coronary heart disease in type 2 diabetics is 2 to 4 times higher than normal. This increase is 10 times the incidence of peripheral vascular disease. In such a case, the risk of amputation is very high. Finally, cardiovascular problems caused by diabetes are a non-negligible risk factor for premature mortality.
Cardiovascular disease in diabetics
Fat deposits called atheromatous plaques on the inner walls of the blood vessels are the main cause of cardiovascular problems in diabetes. Over time, these fat deposits harden and calcify to form atherosclerosis. They can then either break off or lead to the formation of clots (thrombosis). In the latter case, the clots can eventually cause the artery to become blocked.
The main cardiovascular diseases related to diabetes are then the following:
- Coronary thrombosis - this is a heart condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
- Myocardial infarction - commonly known as a heart attack, a myocardial infarction is characterized by the destruction of this part of the heart It can occur as a result of a blood clot blocking the coronary artery. This heart condition is characterized by chest pain that is accompanied by tightness. The affected person may also experience pain in the back and arms and be prone to dizziness.
- Enlarged heart muscles - this heart condition is caused by chronic hypertension. When blood pressure is high, the heart has to pump blood more intensely. As a result, the heart muscles become more muscular and tired. The symptoms of cardiac hypertrophy are: heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and loss of consciousness.
- Stroke - with high blood pressure, the arteries are also subject to greater mechanical stress. Over the long term, they can rupture and cause a Stroke is manifested by paralysis of the face, loss of vision in one or both eyes. Loss of balance and muscle weakness are also warning signs.
Cardiovascular damage caused by diabetes can also lead to kidney failure. The damage caused by diabetes can also affect the small vessels that supply blood to the kidneys. Over time, this impaired irrigation can lead to kidney failure.
What can be done to prevent the cardiovascular complications of diabetes?
The best way to prevent the cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes is to change your lifestyle. Sport should be a priority in this case. In addition to this, a diet rich in fruits, whole grains and vegetables should also be favoured.
