Cardio-vascular and Diabetes: Prevention is better than cure

Introduction.

Coronary heart disease remains the most common conditions in the world and despite modern intervention; its prevalence is on the rise. It has been shown in studies that Asians are at more risk of developing Cardio vascular disease (CVD) and Diabetes mellitus (DM).

There are two main types of risks, reversible and irreversible which make a patient more prone for diseases.

Reversible factors

As it suggests, these risks can be reversible and hence the chances of the Cardio-vascular disease and diabetes can be reduce. Smoking, diet, BMI, exercise, stress, high cholesterol, sedentary life styles are few factors. It’s been shown that differences in waist measurement in Asian men and women, patients put them at different risks scale.

Asian women with a waist circumference of more than 31 inches.

Asian men with a waist circumference of more than 35 inches.

White: Women with a waist circumference of more than 35 inches. Men with a waist circumference of more than 40 inches.

 Irreversible Factors

Family history, genetic predispositions, age, ethnic background, female have advantage till menopause due to oestrogen and progesterone.

Sings and symptoms:

Most common are, breathless, tiredness, weight loss, fatigue, increase thirst, increase urinary frequency, chest pain, difficult in walking due to calf pain. In few cases there might not be any obvious features till the patient present with either a heart attack or severe diabetic complications.

Investigations:

Blood tests, ECG, check for fasting lipids, diabetes, BNP, ECHO, exercise tolerance test. CXR are few of the tests your doctor would suggest.

Treatment:

Life style changes

 Research have shown that life style changes have a profound positive effect on health, these changes are smoking cessation, 30 minutes brisk walk 5 days a week , healthy diet, weight loss. This is useful for cardio-vascular and on diabetes.

Medications

It depends upon the condition, but generally, tablets such as antihypertensive, anti-cholesterol and anti-diabetic medications are given.

 Summary:

CVD and DM are the most common conditions in Asian population and not only causing distress to patient and families but a huge cost of the health budget. Lift style changes, early detection and continuous management will bring the mortality down. For specific concern see your doctor.

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Posted by Dr Sadat Muzammil on Jun 3 2013. Filed under Health, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.