Coping/Complications

 Short-Term

 Long-Term

Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. You should understand why diabetes puts you at risk, what symptoms to watch for and how to get help, if necessary. Did you know:

• Hardening of blood vessels, caused by cholesterol build-up and scarring of the vessel walls clogs" and damages blood vessels, cutting down blood flow
  
• High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels add to the risk
  
• Heart attacks are caused by "clogged" and damaged coronary arteries
  
• Strokes are caused by "clogged" and damaged arteries to the head

Though many people without diabetes have heart attacks and strokes, those with diabetes are more likely to have them, and to have them at an earlier age.

Risk Factors That Cannot Be Changed

• Age (over 35 years)
  
• Family history of heart attack before age 50
  
• Sex (men are more at risk than women who have not yet reached menopause; after menopause, women have the same risk as men)
  
• Race (African-Americans have a 45% higher incidence of high blood pressure)

Risk Factors That Can Be Changed

• Blood glucose control
  
• Smoking (constricts blood vessels)
  
• High blood pressure (can further damage blood vessels)
  
• High cholesterol (adds to thickening of vessel walls)
  
• High-fat diet
  
• Excess weight
  
• Inactive lifestyle

Symptoms

• Chest pain or tightness, sometimes radiating down the arm
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Sweating
  
• Fainting/weakness
  
• Sometimes no symptoms at all

• Call your doctor or go to an emergency room right away.

To Lessen Your Risk

• Take an aspirin tablet daily (81-325 mg).
  
• Have regular checkups, including a stress test, EKG, blood lipid analysis, and blood pressure check.
  
• Keep blood pressure less than 130/80 and normalize blood lipids.
  
• Reduce risk factors.
  
• Stop smoking.
  
• Become more physically active.
  

Reprinted with permission from: InfoDek® © Copyright 2002