How to care for diabetic patients for CVD disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of death in people suffering from diabetes. Statistics indicate, about 68 adults with diabetes, who are over the age of 65, die due to some form of heart disease. There is a need to make sure that people living with diabetes are aided in controlling blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin with all available resources. They should be educated enough to minimize risks for complications such as heart disease. There is a need to generate awareness that adhering to the medication schedule alone may not be helpful.A certain lifestyle change is also required. For primary prevention in patients with diabetes and an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, aspirin should be considered. This category includes most men and women above the age of 50 with at least one major risk factor and those who are not at increased risk of bleeding. A proactive management plan towards managing the risk of heart diseases in those living with diabetes should include involving the patient in therapeutic decision-making, selfmanagement to control risk factors, monitoring treatment effectiveness, and maintaining lifestyle changes.

Disclaimer: The veracity of any health claim made in the above article is the responsibility of the concerned hospital/doctor.

Dr Rajneesh Kapoor PHOTO: HTCS