Cardiology Specialist Dr. Samet Uyar made vital warnings about the devastating effects of diabetes on heart health and ways of protection.
How Does Diabetes Affect the Heart?
High sugar disrupts the structure of the vessel wall, causing arteriosclerosis (atherosclerosis). Heart vessel blockages are seen 2-4 times more frequently in diabetic patients than in normal individuals and progress more insidiously.
Silent Heart Attack
Since nerve endings can be damaged in diabetic patients, chest pain may not be felt. Therefore, patients may have a heart attack without being aware of it. We call this "silent ischemia." For this reason, even if there are no complaints, an annual cardiological check-up is a must.
What to Do?
We must keep not only sugar but also blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Staying away from smoking and walking for 30 minutes every day is the cheapest and most effective way to protect your heart health.