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In today’s health-conscious age, understanding the intricate connections between our body’s internal processes and potential health risks has never been more vital.
One such crucial relationship that has acquired significant attention is the link between blood sugar levels and heart disease.
Blood sugar, or glucose, serves as the body’s primary energy source, but when its levels remain unbalanced, it can pave the way for a host of health complications. Alarmingly, the prevalence of conditions like diabetes, characterized by chronic high blood sugar levels, is on the rise globally.
As these numbers soar, so do concerns about the cascading health repercussions, especially pertaining to the heart.
With heart disease being a leading cause of death worldwide, grasping how elevated blood sugar levels influence heart health is imperative – not just for those diagnosed with diabetes but for everyone aiming for a healthier future.
According to Medline Plus, “Blood glucose, or blood sugar, is the main sugar found in your blood. It is your body’s primary source of energy. It comes from the food you eat. Your body breaks down most of that food into glucose and releases it into your bloodstream. When your blood glucose goes up, it signals your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is what helps the glucose get into your cells to be used for energy.”
The regulation of blood sugar is thus a delicate balance, and our body’s key player in this process is insulin. When we eat, our blood sugar rises, prompting the release of insulin produced by the pancreas. This insulin facilitates the optimal glucose uptake by cells, ensuring that our blood sugar levels stay within a healthy range.
According to endocrinologist Yogish Kudva, in an interview with Mayo Clinic, “A blood sugar level less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) is normal. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) two hours after meal means you have diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L) means you have prediabetes.” Prediabetes is also known as borderline diabetes.
Consistently elevated blood sugar, either due to frequent consumption of high-sugar foods or the body’s inability to regulate glucose, can be problematic.
Prolonged high levels can lead to cellular resistance to insulin, taxing the pancreas and leading to a cycle of rising blood sugar and insulin levels. Ultimately this heightens the risk for various health complications.
When there’s too much sugar in our blood for a long time, it can cause harmful changes in our body. The excess sugar can create harmful molecules that stress, inflame, and damage the inner walls of our blood vessels.
Further, according to Leslie Branon, writing in the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons website, “Higher levels of glucose in the blood can cause plaque to build up in arteries, making it difficult for blood to efficiently pump through the arteries and reach areas like the eyes, legs, feet, and kidneys. This plaque build-up, or hardening of the arteries, is known as atherosclerosis.”
As more plaque builds up, the artery gets more blocked so that less blood can flow through. This increases the chances of severe heart problems, like heart attacks or strokes.
Elevated blood sugar levels don’t operate in isolation when it comes to endangering the heart. They often accompany or lead to other health issues that further exacerbate heart disease risk.
For instance, when ailments such as obesity, cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension – along with other hereditary factors – join together, they can have a multiplicative impact on the heart.
This is why doctors always ask people with one or more of these ailments to get checkups for all of them. Patients are usually thoroughly screened to monitor their blood pressure, ascertain their cholesterol levels, look for diabetes symptoms, and advised on a diet-plus-exercise regimen for obesity care.
Many research studies have shown a strong connection between diabetes (or simply having high blood sugar) and heart problems. According to Medical News Today, quoting the American Heart Association (AHA), “ … adults with diabetes are more likely to die from heart disease than those without diabetes.”
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, “People with diabetes tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than people without diabetes. Adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease or stroke as adults without diabetes.”
The three main consequences of having high sugar levels can be categorized as these below. Together, all these changes set the stage for heart problems to develop.
Further, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “People with diabetes are also more likely to have heart failure. Heart failure is a serious condition, but it doesn’t mean the heart has stopped beating; it means your heart can’t pump blood well. This can lead to swelling in your legs and fluid building up in your lungs, making it hard to breathe.” Your heart needs to pump adequate amount of blood as required by the body.
Keeping your diabetes, heart, and blood vessels in top shape starts with some simple daily habits:
Sometimes, lifestyle changes might not be enough. There are medicines your doctor will probably give you that can help control blood sugar and protect your heart.
If you’ve got high blood sugar (or other heart risks), your doctor might prescribe medicines to help manage it. Always take medications as advised, and if you’ve got questions, your doctor is there to help.
Understanding the intricate link between blood sugar levels and heart health is vital knowledge that affects our daily lives and long-term well-being. By recognizing how these factors interact, we empower ourselves with the tools and insights necessary to make informed decisions about our health.
This knowledge leads us towards preventative measures, proactive approaches, and personalized health management strategies. Staying informed about such connections ensures we’re always one step ahead, ready to nurture our bodies and safeguard our hearts.
By embracing better understanding and following best practices recommended by our doctors, we lay the foundation for a healthier, brighter future.
