Happy Hearts and T2D

We have been talking about the complications and risks associated with diabetes early in the week with a focus on amputations and diabetic retinopathy. Within this blog we will be talking more in depth about heart disease.

People living with diabetes are reported to be at 2 – 4 times more likely to develop heart disease in their life time, whether that is coronary artery disease due to increase cholesterol levels clogging blood vessels or even heart attacks and strokes. Unfortunately, diabetes changes the chemical make-up of substances found within blood causing your arteries to narrow, reducing the amount of blood that can be pumped around your body.

So, how do you reduce the risk you may ask, well luckily for you there are multiple modifiable risks that can be addressed reducing your risk of heart disease. Some of these are;

• Physical activity levels

• Smoking

• Diet

• Alcohol consumption

• Sleep

• Stress

• Weight

By increasing your physical activity levels, you can;

• Lower your blood pressure

• Allow your insulin to work more effectively and efficiently

• increased uptake of glucose by the working muscles

• Reduce stress levels

• Reduce body weight

Exercise is an affective treatment, allowing you to focus on specific aspects of your physical, mental and social well-being. A guideline has been developed to outline how much exercise should be done with a minimum of 150min/week of moderate aerobic and 2 strength sessions per week recommended.

By investing in your health early and taking the necessary steps to better your health, you can dramatically reduce your risk of diabetes related complications. If you are looking to start exercising, and have complications, such as retinopathy or nephropathy, you should talk to an accredited exercise physiologist before starting! #diabetes #amputations #diabeticretinopathy