Diabetes Mellitus Leads to Silent Heart Attack

Diabetes Mellitus may lead to an early & silent heart attack. This is one of the major risk factors of heart attack. Uncontrolled Diabetes accelerates twice times the risk of having acute coronary syndrome.

Approximately two million people in the U.K. currently suffer from Diabetes Mellitus. The vast majority (90%) of whom have type 2 diabetes (patients on oral medication).

Although Diabetes is more common in older individuals, the incidence is increasing at a dramatic rate in all age groups especially young adults, driven by the obesity epidemic.

Macro Vascular disease is the most common cause of death in Diabetes Mellitus (more than 75%)

Adults with diabetes are 3 to 7 times more to develop heart disease. A recent recommendation from the U.S. advocates aggressive treatment of high cholesterol in people with diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetic Patient may suffer from the following Macro Vascular disorders:

Cerebrovascular disease

A diabetic patient has 7% chances of Cerebrovascular disease that is 2 to 3 times increased risk of fatal stroke.

Abnormal E.C.G.

Patient may have abnormal E.C.G. that means likely to have 2 to 4 times increased risk of fatal heart disease.

Hypertension

A patient may have 35% of chances of hypertension that means he/she has 2 to 4 times increased risk of fatal heart disease.

Intermittent Claudication

Patient suffering from diabetes mellitus may have 4.5% chances of having Intermittent Claudication which may lead to 15 times increased risk of amputation.

Internittent Claudication is in fact the narrowing of the arteries below knee joints.

Recommendations for risk reduction in Diabetes Mellitus

Blood glucose should be aggressively controlled by means of diet and exercise coupled with appropriate intensity of Hypoglycaemic drug therapy.

Target HbA1c( Hemoglobin) is less than 7%

Aggressive blood pressure control is 130/80mmHg and cholesterol management has a greater impact on prevention of coronary artery disease, stroke than tight glucose control and reduces progression of nephropathy.