According to Cleveland Clinic there are more than 537 million adults worldwide living with some form of diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month. This month aims to raise awareness about the different types of diabetes, the importance of prevention, common risk factors and symptoms, and its impact on individuals and communities. Educating the public about the risks associated with diabetes can improve the chances of early detection as well as enhancing management strategies and providing support resources for those living with diabetes.
Diabetes is a medical condition that occurs when your blood sugar raises above the level which is considered safe. This is typically the result of the pancreas being unable to produce enough insulin (if any at all) or the body becoming resistant to the effects of insulin. There are several types of diabetes but thankfully, with proper medication and lifestyle changes they can be managed.
Most common types of diabetes according to Cleveland Clinic:
- Type 1: Is considered an autoimmune condition which results in the immune system destroying the insulin-producing cells found within the pancreas. Although it is usually diagnosed in childhood, it can develop at any age. This type makes up around 10% of all diabetes cases.
- Type 2: In this form, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells don’t respond properly to insulin (insulin resistance). Type 2 is the most prevalent type of diabetes, primarily affecting adults, though it can also occur in children.
- Prediabetes: Occurs when blood sugar levels are elevated but not quite high enough yet to meet the criteria for an official type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
- Gestational diabetes: A form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy but typically resolves after childbirth. Some women with gestational diabetes may be at an increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
So how does diabetes affect your heart? Diabetes can often lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure. This causes the arteries to narrow which affects the heart’s ability to pump blood out to the rest of the body. As a result, people with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease earlier in life and are three times more likely to die from this condition. Similarly to heart disease, some risk factors for diabetes include high blood pressure, unhealthy weight and high cholesterol. Luckily, management strategies such as healthy lifestyle changes (i.e. exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet) and medication can help control diabetes and decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease. Make sure to contact your health care professional if you believe you are at risk or are experiencing any symptoms of diabetes.
Northern Hearts Program Coordinator, Lana Ryder-Methot.