According to the American Diabetes Association, individuals with diabetes are approximately twice as likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than others.

In fact, cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death for individuals with diabetes.

“I am a proponent of making sure my patients who have diabetes understand the risks this disease carries,” says endocrinologist Anne Borja, MD, with LVPG Endocrinology - Carbon and the Diabetes and Metabolism Center. “That said, I want this information to be empowering, so they can know how to best manage their condition, reduce complications and know signs of potential problems.”

What to watch out for

If you are experiencing any of the following, it is best to go to the closest emergency room for evaluation:

Signs of a heart attack:

• Chest pain that feels like pressure or squeezing in the center or left side of your chest

• Upper body discomfort, such as pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach

• Shortness of breath

• Cold sweat

• Unexplained fatigue

• Nausea and vomiting

• Lightheadedness or dizziness

Signs of a stroke:

• Weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

• Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding

• Problems with vision such as dimness or loss of vision in one or both eyes

• Dizziness or problems with balance or coordination

• Problems with movement or walking

• Severe headache with no known cause

While it’s important to seek immediate care for these symptoms, they may be a sign of other less serious conditions.

It’s also important to know that heart disease starts well before major cardiac events.

“Heart disease develops over time,” Dr. Borja says. “So by following health and wellness recommendations for managing diabetes, you are also doing the right things to help prevent or reduce your risk for heart disease too.”

Heart healthy tips

There are many things you can do to prevent or slow the progression of heart disease, including:

• Getting 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week

• Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a diet that is full of vegetables and fruits

• Managing your stress, which can help keep your blood pressure in a normal range

• Getting six to eight hours of sleep per day

• Taking any medications prescribed by your doctor as directed

• Quitting smoking

• Seeing your doctor regularly to have your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels checked

“When I meet with patients, heart disease risk is an important part of our discussion,” Dr. Borja says. “The more you can incorporate a healthy diet, regular exercise and keeping your blood glucose levels in a healthy range, the better.

“Working together, we can make that happen.”

To make an appointment with a clinical expert, visit LVHN.org or call 888-402-LVHN.