
Blood vessels are also damaged by high cholesterol (blood fats) and high blood pressure. We've talked about the link between high blood sugar levels and your heart health.
TO HEART 2 GUIDE HOW TO
Even mildly raised blood sugar levels can, over time, put you more at risk.īe in the know about your HbA1c and how to lower it if it's too high. So keeping as close as possible to your target HbA1c level will help protect your blood vessels and in turn your heart. This build-up can block and damage the vessels carrying blood to and from your heart, starving the heart of oxygen and nutrients. This is because your body can't use all of this sugar properly, so more of it sticks to your red blood cells and builds up in your blood. If you have high blood sugar levels for a period of time, even slightly high, your blood vessels can start to get damaged and this can lead to serious heart complications. Why does diabetes increase your risk of heart disease? Live Tobacco Freeĭon’t smoke, vape or use tobacco or nicotine products - and avoid secondhand smoke or vapor.Every week diabetes causes 530 heart attacks and 680 strokes in the UK Look for the Heart-Check mark to find foods that have been certified by the American Heart Association as heart-healthy. Read the Nutrition Facts and ingredient list on packaged food labels to choose those with less sodium, added sugars and saturated fat. It is possible to follow a heart-healthy dietary pattern regardless of whether food is prepared at home, o rdered in a restaurant or online, or purchased as a prepared meal. limited or preferably no alcohol intakeĪpply this guidance wherever food is prepared or consumed.

healthy sources of protein (mostly plants such as legumes and nuts fish and seafood low-fat or nonfat dairy and, if you eat meat and poultry, ensuring it is lean and unprocessed).whole grains and products made up mostly of whole grains.a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.Eat an overall healthy dietary pattern that emphasizes: Ideally, your activity should be spread throughout the week. If it’s hard to schedule regular exercise, look for ways to build short bursts of activity into your daily routine such as parking farther away and taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Regular physical activity can help you maintain your weight, keep off weight that you lose and reach physical and cardiovascular fitness. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity (or an equal combination of both) each week.Increase the amount and intensity of your physical activity to burn more calories.You may need fewer or more calories depending on several factors including age, gender, and level of physical activity. Nutrition and calorie information on food labels is typically based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet. Start by knowing how many calories you should be eating and drinking to maintain your weight.Use up at least as many calories as you take in. Make the simple steps below part of your life for long-term benefits to your health and your heart.

It’s not as hard as you may think! Remember, it's the overall pattern of your choices that counts.

National Hypertension Control InitiativeĪ healthy diet and lifestyle are the keys to preventing and managing cardiovascular disease.

