We all know smoking is very dangerous for one’s health and it can increase the risk of lung cancer. Now this situation is comparable to the relationship between diabetes and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Individuals with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and need to be very careful with their health [6]. In fact, they are two to four times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than non-diabetic individuals [1].
So you may be wondering, why is this the case? Unfortunately, diabetic individuals tend to have several of the same risk factors that are linked to cardiovascular disease. One of those factors is that some people with diabetes tend to have high blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease [2]. Along with this, diabetic patients with high blood sugar levels are more likely to have damaged blood vessels and increased inflammation which consequently disrupts normal blood flow in the heart [1]. Having unhealthy cholesterol levels is also a major factor as it causes insulin resistance and can lead to the accumulation of plaque in one’s arteries which in turn can cause CVD [1]. On top of this, there are other factors that can make it harder to manage diabetes and therefore raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. Obesity is one risk factor that makes it extra difficult for patients to manage diabetes. Having obesity or even having excess belly fat around the waist, which is known as visceral fat, can make it difficult to manage diabetes, making symptoms worse and therefore making one more susceptible to developing CVD [3]. Obesity can also go hand in hand with people not getting enough physical activity, which is also dangerous for one’s health as it contributes to higher chances of cardiovascular disease [1].
Reading about all these risk factors makes it seem as though solutions are difficult to find. However, there are ways to lower the chances of cardiovascular disease if someone is diabetic. One of the major ways to do this is to have a controlled and optimal diet. An optimal diet should include foods that reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels as well. To achieve this, several changes should be made, such as switching from eating foods that contain saturated fat to foods that contain unsaturated fat [4]. For example, swapping butter (a saturated source) for sunflower oil (an unsaturated source) is a very simple switch which can go a long way [4]. Another diet modification includes lowering salt intake because excess salt is associated with high blood pressure [4]. You should also reduce the consumption of processed since they are high in saturated fatty acids, sugar, and sodium which all contribute to a greater risk of CVD for diabetic individuals [5]. Accordingly, diabetic individuals should avoid processed foods as much as possible. This might seem difficult, but with a bit of research it is possible to find ways to make food that you love at home rather than buying the processed version. On the other hand, individuals should include foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and fibers [1]. This includes fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, brown rice, whole grains, lean protein, low fat dairy, nuts, etc [1].
Although challenging at the beginning, making lifestyle changes such as creating a balanced diet is necessary. With diabetes being a large risk factor for CVD, it is especially important for diabetic individuals to take care of their health, diet, and well-being to avoid a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle changes have a multitude of long-term benefits that spread to other aspects of your life. By changing your diet, an individual may experience a boost in mood, or naturally engage in more physical activity all leading to a more active and healthy life. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as changes to one’s diet may indirectly affect your family as well. Healthy habits can be used as preventative measures against various conditions such as CVD.
Author: Priya Amin
References
1. Cafasso, J. (2021). Diabetes and heart disease: What is the connection? Medical
News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/diabetes-heart-disease-connection.
2. Cardiovascular disease and diabetes. (2021). https://www.heart.org/en/health-
topics/diabetes/diabetes-complications-and-risks/cardiovascular-disease–diabetes.
3. Diabetes, heart disease, & stroke. (n.d.). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health- information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/heart-disease-stroke.
4. Eating for diabetes and heart health. (n.d.). Diabetes UK.
5. Richards, L. (2020). Cardiac diet: What is it? Foods to eat and avoid, plus planning a
diet. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cardiac-diet.
6. Strain, W.D., & Paldánius, P.M. (2018). Diabetes, cardiovascular disease and the
microcirculation. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 17,57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-018-0703-2
JP Stroke Foundation 
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