Around 30% of people with Type 2 diabetes have cardiovascular disease (CVD). But that's just what's been diagnosed. A new study shows that another third of adults in the U.S. with Type 2 diabetes may have symptomless or undetected CVD. That may explain why more than 70% of people with Type 2 diabetes die from cardiovascular causes.
One of the big culprits is high blood pressure: Around 66% of adults with diabetes have blood pressure greater than 130/80 or use prescription medications for high blood pressure. The good news is you can reduce the risks of developing and dying from CVD if you have Type 2 diabetes by adopting intensive blood pressure control.
A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that when participants aimed for a standard systolic (the upper number) blood pressure of 140, they were far more likely to experience a nonfatal stroke or heart attack, be hospitalized for heart failure and die from CVD than the folks aiming for a systolic number of 120. So, talk to your doc about how to go low.
Other ways to reduce your CVD risk if you have diabetes: Aim for a healthy weight; get 300 minutes of exercise weekly; aim for an A1C of 7% or lower; and reduce body-wide inflammation with a healthy plant-based diet.
For help controlling blood pressure, check out "5 Supplements to Support Heart Health and Blood Pressure" at iHerb.com/blog and the information on Inspiratory Resistance Training (it's as effective as blood pressure medication) in "The Great Age Reboot."
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).