cardiodiabetes

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Health
Diabetes & Heart Interesting Data from an US survey

Findings of the Diabetes-Heart Link Survey of 2008 people with diagnosed diabetes:

1% Knew that taking aspiring reduces risk of CVD events 
40% "Felt at risk" for hypertension or dyslipidemia 
68% Did not know that CVD events are diabetes- related complications 
75% Of older adults and Hispanics did not know about diabtes.CVD link 
93% Did not know that quitting smoking reduces risk of CVD events 
95% Did not know that reducing blood pressure reduces risk of CVD events 

Adults with diabetes should be tested each year for total cholesterol (high and low density) and triglycerides. Adults with high lipids should be tested more often for total cholesterol (high and low density) and triglycerides.

Triglycerides: are the storage form of fats and the body's main source of energy.
Cholesterol: is a fatty, waxy, hard substance found in blood. Cholesterol is needed by the body to build strong cell wails, digest food, and make some hormones and vitamins.

There are two sources of cholesterol
•  The body produces cholesterol in the liver.
• Dietary cholesterol comes from animal foods.
Litoprotein: Cholesterol and triglycerides do not dissolve in the bloodstream but must be carried by special proteins called lipoproteins.

The are 2 main types of lipoproteins:
•  Low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
• High-density lipoprotein (HDL)


Recommendations for Lipids

Test What is it Goal
Total Cholesterol Blood fat < 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L)
LDL Cholesterol Low-density
lipoprotein BAD		 < 80 mg/dL (2.07 mmol/L)
HDL Cholesterol High-density
lipoprotein GOOD		 Men: > 45 mg/dL
(1.15 mmol/L)
Women: > 55 mg/dL
(1.40 mmol/L)
Triglycerides Dietary fats in blood < 200 mg/dL (5.17 mmol/L)


Ways to lower blood lipid levels
and lower risks for cardiovascular disease



1. Control blood glucose: High levels of triglycerides and the imbalance in total cholesterol and LDL and HDL cholesterol foten improve when blood glucose levels are more controlled.

2. Weight loss: modest weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds helps lower blood glucose and is less work onthe heart.

3. Don't smoke: avoid use of tobacco products. Smoking reduces the blood flow to the heart, limbs, and other organs.

4. Increase physical activity: Helps strengthen heart and improve tone of blood vessels. Moderate exercise for 20 minutes 3 to 4 times a week.

5. Eat food lover in fat: eating food containing large amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol increases the level of cholesterol in blood especially LDL. Suggested amount of fat: 30% of daily total calories. Dietary cholesterol less than 300 mg/day.
•  Saturated fats are found primarily in animal foods, such as meat whole milk dairy products, butter, and lard. These sources are usually solid at room temperature. Some plant sources of saturated fats are coconut and palm oil.
• Unsaturated or polyunsaturated fats mainly come from plants such as safflower, sunflower, corn and soybean. These are liquid at room temperature.
• Monounsaturated fats are found in olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, olives, peanuts, and most nuts and seeds.
Educational Treatment Unit
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