DIABETES and HEART DISEASE

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Australia, claiming the lives of 50 of us every day, or one Australian every 30 minutes. Having diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes, increases this risk. It has been estimated that having diabetes approximately doubles the risk of developing or dying of cardiovascular disease. So, while everyone should take steps to look after their heart, this is even more important when you have diabetes.

Heart disease explained

The major cause of heart disease is a build-up of fatty material inside the artery walls, known as atherosclerosis. These fatty deposits gradually clog up the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. A similar process can occur in the blood vessels to the brain (a major cause of stroke) and other parts of the body, such as the legs and feet (a condition called peripheral vascular disease).

Your heart muscle needs a constant supply