What you do for your diabetes helps heal heart disease

What causes heart disease? Well, some problems with the heart happen right around birth, and those are congenital issues. Those aren’t part of our discussion here. But other things that affect your heart are really lifestyle.

What are some of these? Smoking, drinking alcohol, eating and drinking a lot of sugar, unhealthy junk food, not getting enough physical activity or exercise, poor sleep, and more. Some of these may sound familiar to you.

These things lead to inflammation. Inflammation in heart disease is going to lead to things like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery disease.

In diabetes, those same lifestyle choices affect your blood sugar. Consistently high blood sugar causes a lot of inflammation and creates a lot of visceral fat, which is also inflammatory. Along with diabetes, heart attack, stroke, blindness, dialysis, and nerve damage can lead to a lot of problems, including potentially losing your feet. These are all life-limiting complications of both heart disease and diabetes.

So what do we do?

The good news is that anything you do for your diabetes will be good for your heart. By the way, your brain will benefit too.

So let's look at some things that you can do.

First, if you smoke, quit. Think about it. Your breathing will get better. Your lungs will become clear. You won't cough as much. Your breath and clothes won't smell as bad, and you'll feel so much better.

Second, limit or stop alcohol. This will reduce depression and anxiety and reduce the damaging effects of alcohol on your liver.

Third, get active! Even if you're just going for walks with a friend, taking the dog out for a walk or riding your bike down to the store. Whatever it is, as much activity as you can get into your day will really make a difference for you. Doing a short walk, 10 – 15 minutes, within 15 minutes of eating a meal can help bring your blood sugar down. This activity can be found in little pockets of your day and can lead to a little bit of weight loss, getting a little bit stronger, sleeping better and just feeling better.

Finally, get rid of the junk food. Once you get off sugar, you will be amazed at how much better you feel.

Everything you do for your diabetes will help your heart. It beats from conception to the last breath you take. Do all you can to support your heart so it can support you!

Dr Elaine

Download my free 30 Day Guide to Manage or Reverse Type 2 Diabetes 

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for advice about a specific medical condition.

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