Most people with diabetes are likely to develop some form of heart disease. The American Diabetic Association reports that in 2004, the last year for which statistics are available, almost 70 percent of deaths among the elderly diabetic population were caused by heart disease.
Heart disease, also referred to as cardiovascular disease, refers to a number of diseases that can involve blood vessels and arteries that become narrowed or blocked. The higher than normal blood sugar levels that occur in diabetes, together with high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure increase the risks and likelihood of heart disease developing. And commonly associated with both heart disease and diabetes are the factors of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a condition of being overweight. Most persons with diabetes are overweight.
The person with diabetes faces a daily challenge to control their blood sugar levels, often with the need to observe special dietary approaches and the need to add exercise or physical exertion to their daily routines. There is no cure, the best that can be expected is to control the higher than normal blood sugar levels that circulate throughout the body. The sugar levels become escalated because of an impairment system of the body that normally should process the circulating blood sugars and deliver them to the cells of the body. Those cells need and use the sugars, in the form of glucose, for fuel.
In a similar way, heart disease usually requires an appropriate diet, exercise, and medications. It is essential that those who suffer from diabetes and heart disease be under the care of a doctor who will provide an appropriate course of treatment. Many forms of heart disease can be prevented by the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that tends to worsen over time and the diabetic patient, in addition to following doctor's advice, is responsible for the day-to-day management of their condition. Some diabetics and heart disease patients may wish to incorporate foods, vitamins, and other supplements into their diet to combat their conditions. There are some cardiologists that do favor doing this and many have authored books that describe and recommend the substances that are thought to be helpful. For those who may be inclined to add supplements to their daily diet, it is recommended that they check out book stores and libraries where such books may be found.
For instance, for heart disease, cardiologist Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra, in his book titled The Sinatra Solution, published in 2005 by Basic Health Publications Inc., recommends the dietary inclusion of items such as Coenzyme Q-10, L-Carnitine, and D-Ribose and for treating diabetes recommends alpha-lipoic acid, gymnema sylvestre, and vanadyl sulphate. Some of these substances have been used for many years and there are plenty of references to them in the literature dealing with alternative medicine. They can usually be found in health food stores and some pharmacies.
In conclusion
As a diabetic myself, my main concern is to deal with my condition of higher than normal blood sugar levels and each day I take the diabetic medicines prescribed by my doctor. It is necessary for persons with diabetes and other diseases to be cared for by a physician, but much of the management of the health condition is left in the hands of the individual.
To my fellow patients, I suggest that it is necessary and sensible to consult and inform the doctor about any supplements or other substances that they wish to consider taking. Some doctors have little knowledge on such matters and may not be able to provide informed advice. The books that provide reliable information authored by other physicians and cardiologists of repute may help your doctor understand the merits of some supplements.
Heart disease, also referred to as cardiovascular disease, refers to a number of diseases that can involve blood vessels and arteries that become narrowed or blocked. The higher than normal blood sugar levels that occur in diabetes, together with high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure increase the risks and likelihood of heart disease developing. And commonly associated with both heart disease and diabetes are the factors of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a condition of being overweight. Most persons with diabetes are overweight.
The person with diabetes faces a daily challenge to control their blood sugar levels, often with the need to observe special dietary approaches and the need to add exercise or physical exertion to their daily routines. There is no cure, the best that can be expected is to control the higher than normal blood sugar levels that circulate throughout the body. The sugar levels become escalated because of an impairment system of the body that normally should process the circulating blood sugars and deliver them to the cells of the body. Those cells need and use the sugars, in the form of glucose, for fuel.
In a similar way, heart disease usually requires an appropriate diet, exercise, and medications. It is essential that those who suffer from diabetes and heart disease be under the care of a doctor who will provide an appropriate course of treatment. Many forms of heart disease can be prevented by the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that tends to worsen over time and the diabetic patient, in addition to following doctor's advice, is responsible for the day-to-day management of their condition. Some diabetics and heart disease patients may wish to incorporate foods, vitamins, and other supplements into their diet to combat their conditions. There are some cardiologists that do favor doing this and many have authored books that describe and recommend the substances that are thought to be helpful. For those who may be inclined to add supplements to their daily diet, it is recommended that they check out book stores and libraries where such books may be found.
For instance, for heart disease, cardiologist Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra, in his book titled The Sinatra Solution, published in 2005 by Basic Health Publications Inc., recommends the dietary inclusion of items such as Coenzyme Q-10, L-Carnitine, and D-Ribose and for treating diabetes recommends alpha-lipoic acid, gymnema sylvestre, and vanadyl sulphate. Some of these substances have been used for many years and there are plenty of references to them in the literature dealing with alternative medicine. They can usually be found in health food stores and some pharmacies.
In conclusion
As a diabetic myself, my main concern is to deal with my condition of higher than normal blood sugar levels and each day I take the diabetic medicines prescribed by my doctor. It is necessary for persons with diabetes and other diseases to be cared for by a physician, but much of the management of the health condition is left in the hands of the individual.
To my fellow patients, I suggest that it is necessary and sensible to consult and inform the doctor about any supplements or other substances that they wish to consider taking. Some doctors have little knowledge on such matters and may not be able to provide informed advice. The books that provide reliable information authored by other physicians and cardiologists of repute may help your doctor understand the merits of some supplements.