Heart attack occurs despite controlled blood sugar

The most prevalent ones are heart problems, occurring at a relatively younger age within the country. India reports over 72 million cases of diabetes, according to International Diabetes Federation. And despite blood sugar control, the youth-onset type 2 diabetes is impacting future health of youths, putting them at an increased risk of heart failure. This indicates the need for raising awareness to reduce the heart health risk, especially among Indian youths. To prevent Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), knowing your heart health risk and taking good care of diabetes is extremely important.

People with diabetes have a greater chance of heart attack and stroke. This is because their blood sugar levels are often much higher than it should be. As all of this sugar isn’t properly used by their body, it damages many part of your body including their blood vessels, starving their heart of oxygen, and eventually leading to heart disease and increased heart failure risk.

“Indians are ethnically more prone for heart attack a decade earlier than the western population. So a strong emphasis on early identification and treatment of the four major modifiable risk factors – diabetes, mellitus, systemic hypertension, smoking and cholesterol disorders. The cumulative duration of exposure is also important to prevent heart attack. So we have to strongly emphasize lifestyle modification and early screening – ideally at the time of entry into college – to arrest this trend of early heart attacks.” says, Dr D Prabhakar, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Dr Mehta’s Hospital.

Indians are much more conscious about their health than before. Still, heart failure is striking people at a younger age, making youths in their 30s and 40s the new heart health risk category. Despite the obsession to achieve fitness goals, attending classes regularly in some of the country’s finest gyms and staying current with the latest health and fitness information, youths are encountering heart health issues.

Even those who appear healthy, exercise regularly and are particular about their diet still develop heart problems. The biggest reason is that very few are aware about the alarming statistics of diabetes, heart health risks associated with it and how their diet and lifestyle, play a crucial role in the same. Youths, for instance, have misconception that diet and physical activity dictate their blood sugar levels and they don’t need blood sugar check until middle age. If Indian youths are unaware about the heart health risk factors, then it’s very unlikely they will take steps to address them. This shows that there’s a need to raise awareness for cardiovascular risk factors in Indian people.

The small steps taken to manage diabetes also helps lower your chances of heart disease risk. Lifestyle modification plays a significant role to prevent your heart disease risk.

“A healthcare expert may prescribe diabetic medicines to meet the goals, and you should take them regularly. This is because even if the blood glucose levels are normal, an individual is still at the risk of heart disease. And taking these medicines regularly will prevent heart disease risk and other long term complications of diabetes. Also, one shouldn’t stop taking them without checking with a doctor first. “says, Dr A Panneerselvam, Consultant Diabetologist, Aruna Diabetes Centre.

For people with diabetes it’s important to understand their individual risks immediately, get their lipid levels checked and not wait for heart attack symptoms. Regular preventive check-ups can go a long way in reducing heart disease risk and leading a quality life.

“Diabetics should adopt healthy eating habits, keep a watch on lipid levels and take their medicines regularlyConsume a fibre-rich diet and lower the consumption of refined grains, red/processed meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Yoga practices such as asanas, pranayama, and relaxation will help you reduce blood glucose levels. With small, healthy lifestyle changes, diabetics can prevent heart diseases and enjoy a healthy,” says Dr Daphnee D K, Chief Clinical Dietician, Apollo Hospitals.