Heart disease is the major cause of death for people with diabetes. All people with diabetes have an increased chance of developing heart disease - people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to develop heart disease than someone without diabetes, and women with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop heart disease.
Heart disease is usually due to hardening of the arteries that supply oxygen to the heart (coronary arteries). When these arteries become "hardened," blood flow to the heart is decreased and can lead to a heart attack. Hardening of other arteries in the body can cause high blood pressure, decreased blood flow to the hands and feet (peripheral vascular disease) and stroke.
Diabetes is only one factor that increases your risk for heart disease. Other factors include smoking, high blood cholesterol, low HDL (or "good" cholesterol), being overweight, high blood pressure, increasing age, being male and having a family history of heart disease. You can control some of these factors to help prevent heart disease.
Symptoms of heart disease
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling faint
- Feeling dizzy
- Sweating
- Pain in the shoulders, jaw and left arm*
- Chest pain or pressure (especially during activity)*
- Nausea
* You should call your doctor if these occur or go to an emergency room.
Treatment
- Aspirin therapy*
- Diet
- Exercise
- Medication
- Surgery
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Symptoms
Cramping in your legs while walking
Treatment
- Participation in a regular walking program (45 minutes per day, followed by rest)
- Special footwear
- Aspirin therapy*
- Medication
*Low-dose aspirin therapy is used as a primary prevention method for men and women with diabetes who are over age 30 and are at high risk for heart disease and peripheral vascular disease. Talk to your doctor to determine if aspirin therapy is right for you. If you have certain medical conditions, aspirin therapy may not be recommended.
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