Cardiac & kidney health in diabetes

Verified byDr. Mahesh Chavan – Senior Consultant Endocrinology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, Dr. Brajesh Kumar Kunwar – Senior Consultant Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai and Dr. Rishikesh Velhal – Consultant Urology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai.

Chronic heart and kidney complications due to diabetes are a major public health problem in India. People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing a number of chronic health complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, blindness, and nerve damage.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart and kidney disease due to diabetes caused an estimated 2 million deaths worldwide in 2019. Cardiac and kidney health are closely linked, and diabetes can put both of these organs at risk. In India, the burden of these complications is particularly high. The International Diabetes Federation has stated that India has the second-highest number of people with diabetes in the world, with over 77 million adults living with the condition.

How diabetes affects the heart?

• Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. This can lead to coronary artery disease, which is the most common type of heart disease.
• Diabetes is also a major risk factor for high blood pressure, which can damage the heart and blood vessels over time.
• Diabetes can also lead to high cholesterol levels, which can contribute to coronary artery disease.
• Diabetes can cause inflammation throughout the body, including in the heart. Inflammation can damage the heart muscle and blood vessels.

How diabetes affects the kidneys?

• High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys. Over time, this high blood pressure can also damage the kidneys.
• Diabetes can cause protein to leak into the urine. This is a sign of kidney damage.

The link between heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes

• People with diabetes are more likely to develop both heart disease and kidney disease. This is because the risk factors for these three conditions are similar.
• In addition, having one of these conditions can increase the risk of developing the others. For example, people with diabetes are more likely to develop high blood pressure, which can increase their risk of both heart disease and kidney disease.

Preventing heart and kidney disease in people with diabetes

• Eat a heart-healthy diet: This means eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. It also means limiting saturated and unhealthy fats.
• Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise for 5-6 days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy weight: If you are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can make a big difference in your health.
• Quit smoking: Smoking damages your heart and blood vessels, and it makes it harder to manage diabetes.
• Get regular checkups: See your doctor for regular checkups and screenings to monitor your health and prevent complications.

Cardiac and kidney health are important for everyone, but they are especially important for people with diabetes. By managing blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, people with diabetes can reduce their risk of developing heart and kidney disease.

If you have had diabetes for a long time, consult our experts, Dr. Mahesh Chavan – Senior Consultant Endocrinology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, Dr. Brajesh Kumar Kunwar – Senior Consultant Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai and Dr. Rishikesh Velhal – Consultant Urology, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai to know your risk of developing complications.

Call 022 6280 6280 for an appointment.