Disclosure: Sponsored by two of Canada含羞草研究社檚 leading research-based pharmaceutical companies
For the over 3.5 million Canadians living with type 2 diabetes, Diabetes Awareness Month offers a timely opportunity to remind patients to take small steps to protect their hearts.
It含羞草研究社檚 time for a heart to heart
You may know someone who含羞草研究社檚 been struggling with type two diabetes for a while, maybe you even know someone who has lost their vision or even a lower limb. Both complications are fairly well known, but the silent and more common complication of type 2 diabetes is heart disease and it含羞草研究社檚 a serious risk.
含羞草研究社淐ardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes,含羞草研究社� says Dr. Heywood Choi, an endocrinologist from Abbotsford. 含羞草研究社淔or many years we含羞草研究社檝e had medications that effectively lower blood sugar, control blood pressure or lower cholesterol, but they didn含羞草研究社檛 demonstrate any evidence of heart protection. In the last decade, there have been great advances in medications that also reduce risk of heart attack, stroke and death from cardiovascular disease.含羞草研究社�
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3 tips to set you on the right track:
- Set realistic goals for yourself: 含羞草研究社淚t can be hard to change habits,含羞草研究社� Dr. Choi says. 含羞草研究社淏e patient and remember that one small change at a time can add up to a big benefit in the long term.含羞草研究社�
- Look for information: Talk to your doctor and consult a dietician and other members of your care team to find out what day-to-day changes you can make to lower your risk of heart disease.
- Speak from the heart: Talk openly with your doctor about what you含羞草研究社檙e being prescribed to manage your type 2 diabetes. A can help you talk to your doctor about benefits and risks of different treatment options.
Additional lifestyle changes that can also help protect your heart:
- Smoking: If you含羞草研究社檙e a smoker, quitting smoking is very 含羞草研究社渉eart-friendly,含羞草研究社� says Dr. Choi 含羞草研究社� and better for your overall health.
- Fitness: Exercise recommendations vary based on everyone含羞草研究社檚 exercise capacity but aim for 30-minutes of aerobic activity at least five days a week.You may have to start slowly, with as little as five to 10 minutes of exercise per day, gradually building up to your goal.
- Nutrition: Limit processed carbohydrates and added sugars. Avoid sugary beverages and focus on whole grains with a lower glycemic index. 含羞草研究社淭here含羞草研究社檚 no single method that works for everyone, but limiting sugar and processed carbohydrates is beneficial.含羞草研究社�
If you have type 2 diabetes, speak to your doctor about how you can protect your heart health. Together, you can come up with an achievable step-by-step plan to reduce the risk of heart disease. Visit to learn more.