An unhealthy lifestyle and the rise in obesity rates is causing many people across the globe to develop heart disease and diabetes.
“More and more young patients are developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes,” Dr Eugenia Gianos, director of cardiovascular prevention at Northwell Health in New York City, told a news portal. Adding, “I’m astounded on a daily basis when I come to work to find blockages or heart attacks in people in their 30s and 40s. They may have a genetic predisposition, but it wouldn’t have presented until their 60s if it weren’t for poor lifestyle habits.”
Taking precaution is the best way to protect yourself from these health conditions. Here are some of the risk factors of heart disease and diabetes you need to be aware of.
* Waist circumference
A good indicator of your risk for these two conditions is your waistline. Healthily reduce your wasitline. Not only will it help reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease, but it can also help you manage blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar. Make sure to consume healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. “It’s what you put in your mouth,” Mara Schwartz, a coordinator of the diabetes program at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, South Carolina, told a news portal. Adding, “If you’re not willing to make changes in your diet, particularly by eating fewer processed foods and cutting out sugar-loaded beverages entirely, you will struggle to prevent that type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
* Blood pressure
“Often referred to as ‘the silent killer,’ patients are usually unaware of how high their blood pressure is and their risk until they’ve suffered repercussions like a stroke or advanced kidney disease or a heart attack,” Gianos told a news portal. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure are the two numbers used to measure blood pressure levels. Your blood pressure can be an indication of your risk for heart disease or diabetes. Sleep issues, alcohol and sedentary lifestyle are major risk factors for high blood pressure. Opt to follow a plant-based diet to tackle this issue as it is an effective way of reducing high blood pressure.
*Cholesterol
“In the past, we’ve talked about cholesterol levels in terms of the ratio of LDL (‘bad’) versus HDL (‘good’),”Gianos told a news portal. Adding,“Technically, your HDL cholesterol actually clears the LDL out of the blood, but we’re seeing many patients come in with heart attacks and their HDL is as high as 100. This means it’s not just about the number, but how functional that cholesterol is.'" Consult with a doctor to determine the right treatment plan for you to manage your cholesterol levels if this is a problem for you.
* Blood sugar
High levels of blood sugar are one of the biggest factors that contribute to the development of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Do not ignore the early signs as it can lead to more serious issues. Change your diet to improve your condition. “I’ve seen patients go from an A1C of 10 per cent down to 6 or 7 per cent within six months just from cutting soda out of their diet,” Schwartz told a news portal. Adding, “I see patients all the time with high A1Cs who aren’t even being diagnosed because their weight is normal thanks to a high metabolism, but their blood sugar is still spiking after every meal.”
*Blood fats
If the levels are more than 150 mg/dL, blood fats (triglycerides) could be a major sign of diabetes and heart disease, according to theEndocrine Society. “Triglycerides are just slightly different cholesterol molecules than LDL and HDL,” Gianos told a news portal. Adding, “High triglycerides do tend to be more associated with obesity and diabetes — and a very clear marker for increased cardiovascular risk.”
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