Recent Studies Predicting Heart and Blood Vessel Disease in Diabetics

Heart and blood vessel disease is one of the most severe complications of Type 2 diabetes. If we could predict which diabetics are at high risk for heart attacks, strokes, or other related conditions, we would know which people need to focus on prevention of these health problems.

In October 2015, the Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation reported on a study comparing different test results to help determine which Type 2 diabetics are most at risk for blood vessel disease. Researchers at Yenepoya University in India found...

• modified albumin molecules: a blood protein from protein breakdown and
• a molecule called malondialdehyde were high in the blood of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
• the HbA1c reading was found to be a better predictor of blood vessel disease than the other tests. HbA1c readings detected 90 percent of cases of blood vessel disease.

Taking another approach, scientists at Tilburg University in The Netherlands looked at depression as a way of predicting heart and blood vessel disease. Their work was reported on in the journal Psychosomatics in June 2015. A total of 1465 diabetics were tested for signs of depression. Over the next five years, they were checked for signs of heart and blood vessel disease resulting in hospital admissions. Feeling sad and not being able to find pleasure were associated with other risk factors for heart and blood vessel disease. Anxiety was associated with heart and blood vessel disease even when other factors were taken into account. Other factors included...

• alcohol intake,
• smoking,
• lack of physical activity,
• high body mass index (BMI),
• high blood sugar levels, and
• high blood pressure.

Alcohol is thought to be heart-healthy in small doses, but more than one or two drinks per day are dangerous. Smoking raises blood pressure and makes the heart work harder. The heart and blood vessels need a workout as much as the rest of our body, so going for a swim or walking the dog each day is a good idea.

Some anxiety is normal, especially with changes such as moving to a new home, a new job, or other stressors. When we are often anxious, it can be harmful to your body. Some stress busters include...

• exercising,
• taking a warm bubble bath,
• having a massage, or
• just relaxing with a good book.

Try leaving your cell phone at home and going for a walk in the park. A class in a fun subject such as art appreciation or crafts provides students with an hour of thinking about only non-stressful things.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9210416

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