Diabetes is a metabolic disease, in which the human body fails to utilize the sugar (glucose) content in blood, thus resulting in high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period of time. Sugar present in our blood is a carried by a hormone called Insulin, to the cells and stored or used as a source of energy. Diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin is unable to effectively transfer the produced glucose to the body tissues Diabetes Mellitus has become the most common disease and around 425 million people globally are suffering from diabetes; out of which 82 million belong to the south-east Asian region. India, which is also a part of south-east Asia, has over seven crores cases of diabetes recorded Annually With lifestyle changes and less physical exercise, more and more people are getting affected by diabetes. It is estimated that given to the present state of affairs, total number of diabetes patients in south-east Asia alone, will rise to 151 Million Diabetes has wide range of effects on human body and health. It is the condition in which the glucose present in the human blood is somehow fails to be utilized as the source of energy. It could be either due to under production of insulin hormone, which carries sugar from blood to the cells, or it could be due to the unresponsiveness of cells to receive the Sugar Whatever the reason may be, it results in excess blood sugar (glucose) content. Diabetes may potentially affect the vital organs like heart, kidney, brain and eyes. It may cause cardiovascular diseases, heart attack, kidney failure, hearing loss, bacterial and fungal skin infections and brain stroke Diabetes is identified by high sugar (glucose) content in human blood. Glucose is a source of energy for the body and is normally present in blood which supplies glucose to other parts of body. The body parts that receive glucose do so with help of a hormone called Insulin. As long as the pancreas normally produces insulin, the blood glucose level is maintained. But, an abnormality in insulin production or its inefficiency to effectively transfer the glucose to the body tissues, leads to excess of glucose in blood. This metabolic condition is identified as Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus.Person suffering from diabetes is more likely to have cardiovascular complications including heart attack. There are two types of blood sugar levels – fasting blood sugar level (blood sugar test before food) and postprandial blood sugar level (blood sugar test two hours after having meal). Sugar level measured after fasting for at least eight hours generally after an overnight fast is called fasting sugar level. Blood sugar level below 100 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) before eating food is considered normal Diabetes leads to high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, escalating the possibility of a heart attack.
“Diabetes damages the heart’s blood vessels increasing the possibility of a heart Attack. Diabetes is a serious life threatening disease and must be constantly monitored and effectively subdued with proper medication and by adapting to a healthy life style. By following a healthy lifestyle, regular checkups and proper medication one can observe a healthy and long life.”
High glucose content in the blood damages the blood vessels of heart. Damaged blood vessels are unable to pump the required blood at the required rate, ultimately causing heart attack and other heart diseases. People suffering from diabetes are more likely to have cardiovascular disorders from a very early age, than the people who are not suffering from diabetes.There are also certain factors which might increase one’s chance of heart attack, like smoking, drinking liquor, obesity, high cholesterol level and unhealthy lifestyle. The given factors, if present with diabetes, substantially increase the chances of a heart attack .Prevention is Better than Cure The best way for a diabetic person to stop a heart attack from occurring is by keeping a check on his/her blood sugar level. A diabetic person should always take necessary precautions to keep his/her blood sugar level under control. The precautions include – routine checkup of sugar level and heart, avoiding unhealthy and oily food, quit smoking, adapting to healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and early morning walks The blood vessels of a diabetic patient are already weaker as compared to that of a normal human being. If a diabetic patient consumes unhealthy or junk food, he/she increases his/her cholesterol level, which together with the damaged blood vessels makes a heart attack most likely possibility. Activities like exercising and walking keep one’s cholesterol level under control, hence decreasing the chances of a heart attack. Diabetes is a silent killer; when unchecked, it slowly damages the vital organs resulting in their malfunction and severe health complications. Necessary precautionary measures should be taken, especially by a diabetic person to keep his/her heart and other vital organs in a healthy condition. Diabetes damages the heart’s blood vessels increasing the possibility of a heart Attack. Diabetes is a serious life threatening disease and must be constantly monitored and effectively subdued with proper medication and by adapting to a healthy life style. By following a healthy lifestyle, regular checkups and proper medication one can observe a healthy and long life.
(The author is Pursuing B.Sc Nursing at Deash Baghat University Mandi Gobindgarh Punjab . The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
