Ask type 2 diabetes sufferers the leading cause of death for type 2 patients, and only one-third of them had the correct answer. The leading cause of death for type 2 diabetes patients is cardiovascular disease.
An even lower percentage of friends and loved ones of a type 2 patient were aware of the cardiovascular risk. In fact, diabetic patients are 2 to 4 times more at risk for ischemic strokes and 1.5 to 3.6-fold increase in mortality. Generally speaking, diabetes patients have a reduction in life expectancy of about 4-8 years compared with individuals without diabetes. These same patients had a firm understanding they were at risk for microvascular complications such as neuropathy and nephropathy and the possibility of facing an amputation.
The world-wide numbers are staggering. The Global Word Health Organization (WHO) estimates “world-wide adult diabetes prevalent in 422 million individuals in 2014, rising from 4.7% of the population in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014. The greatest increment is in the middle and low-income countries.”
What can a diabetic do to measure their risk? The American Heart Association proposes an approach that includes high or moderate intensity treatment with statins when the patient’s LDL Cholesterol is between 70 and 189. This varies by age and other conditions. All other cardiovascular history elements such as family history, blood pressure, smoking, physical activity and other continue to apply.
Type 2 diabetes patients need to know they have a much higher risk, women are even more at risk, and all should be certain their cardiovascular condition is measured regularly and treated aggressively.
Your regular wellness check-up should include a full blood panel including cholesterol, hemoglobin, A1(c) and other cardiovascular indicators. If something is marginal or high, a diabetic patient must treat it even more aggressively than others.
Now is the time to contact First Care and arrange your wellness exam.