Diabetes & Heart Health

Diabetes and heart disease have a direct connection, with the diabetic up to four times more likely to die from heart attack. The good news? It’s manageable, even preventable.

High blood sugar is a known risk factor of heart disease, just like smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol increase the risk. It’s common knowledge. Because it increases fatty material inside of our blood vessels, the danger of blockage is increased, along with the risk of heart attack or stroke. The vessels also become stiff and hard, making it easier for the fats to stick to the walls of the blood vessels. When a fat deposit hits a curve on its way into the heart, it’s more likely to cause a pile-up of other deposits behind it, much like a car accident at a freeway stack. But there’s another risk most aren’t aware of. Those with diabetes tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than those without the condition.

Diabetes has some rather frightening implications, but Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. Blood sugar levels can be reduced with healthier eating choices, increased physical activity and medications if necessary. Walking or running are great examples of physical activity, and a great place to stretch those legs is at Sun Health Foundation’s 5K for Women’s Health on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Surprise Stadium. Participation not only supports your health and the women you love but also benefits diabetes prevention education and self-management programs through Sun Health Wellness. To register, visit SunHealthFoundation.org/5K

So why is it important to support diabetes prevention and management programs for women? Diabetes is a serious health concern for women. Did you know that nearly 1 in every 9 adult women is living with diabetes and that a diabetes diagnosis raises women’s risk of heart disease FOUR TIMES? Preventing diabetes is critical, although when that’s not possible, management is the key to prolonging life. Keeping the women in our lives informed and supported is positively life changing.

Submitted by Barbara Mason, Sun Health Vice President of Home and Community Based Services