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ShareBangalore: Over 40 million Indians are victims of diabetes, and it is assumed that by 2020, that figure will double up, if preventive measures are not taken. Diabetes is not just a disease, but brings with it a platter full of other complications, including cardiac problem, kidney complications and eye damage. Dr P Ranganath Nayak, consultant cardiologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, spoke to Soumita Majumdar about how diabetic patients can protect their heart.
Doc, tell me, how prone are diabetic patients to cardiovascular problems?
Diabetic patients are much more prone to complications like stroke, kidney problem, cardiac complications and problems related to the arteries of the leg. The susceptibility of a diabetic patient to manifest heart attack, kidney disease and gangrene is around three to four times higher than a person without diabetes.
What kind of cardiac complications are diabetics are prone to?
Diabetes leads to a high circulation of the blood sugar level. This affects the internal layer of blood vessel making it much more permeable for cholesterol deposition. Cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels of brain, heart and leg arteries lead to complications. Also, diabetes increases stickiness of blood leading to blood clot in the blood vessels easily. Thus, heart attack due to blockages of blood vessels or angina (70 to 80 per cent of cardiac blockage) is not uncommon among diabetic patients. A long term diabetic patient can also develop heart muscle dysfunction.
You led me to my next question. What are the best ways of protecting the heart when you are already a diabetic patient?
Firstly, one should acquire proper knowledge about the disease. Excellent control over the blood sugar level needs to be ensured. The blood sugar level during fasting shouldn't exceed 110, and post-food, it should ideally range between 140 and 160. Glycosylated hemoglobin test should be done once in two to three months and its level should be maintained below 7. Associated risk factors like high blood pressure level, high cholesterol should be kept under control.
What are the symptoms that one with diabetes should look out for?
Not always do a diabetic patient, while developing cardiac complications, get symptoms to look for. Many a times, cardiac attacks are silent. Thus more importantly, diabetic patients need to go in for regular cardiac check ups, in form of treadmill test at least once in every two years with normal results and immediately, when they get any symptoms. They should look out for symptoms like chest pain and breathlessness.
Diabetic patients have their own diet chart. But tell me, what should not be there in the diet platter of a diabetic patient with cardiac complications?
Nothing is a strict no for them. But they need to consume calories in moderation. Mostly, they need to compromise with the carbohydrate and fat content of the diet. However, following a strict diet 90 per cent of the time and indulging into a plate of desserts once in a while is alright as long as that extra sugar and calorie is burnt by an additional 20 minutes of exercise.
