PERSONALHEALTHNEWS.CA A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BYMEDIAPLANET
Dr. Shelley Zieroth
Cardiologist,
St. Boniface HospitalT
he saying “what you
don’t know can’t hurt
you” should never applywhen talking about your health.
For people with type 2 diabetes,
learning about heart disease
risks can be lifesaving.
When we think about heartattacks, we tend to imagine a
man falling to the fl oor holding
his hand to his chest. Generally,
women are not as concerned
about their hearts, and often
mistakenly believe they are
more likely to die from a disease
like cancer. Yet the reality is
that heart disease and stroke are
the leading causes of premature
death among Canadian women.
Understand the risks
The term heart disease generally
describes a heart that does not
function properly. Specifi cally, it
describes instances of heart fail-
ure or stroke due to a blockage
developing in the arteries. The
most well-known risk factors are
smoking and high cholesterol
levels, but other factors — includ-
ing living with diabetes — play a
determining role.
Nevertheless, research shows
that 93 percent of Canadians
who have type 2 diabetes believe
they know how to manage their
illness, when in reality one out
of two are unaware that their
diabetes increases the risk of
heart disease or stroke. “The
link between type 2 diabetes
and heart disease is very strong,”
explains Dr. Shelley Zieroth, a
cardiologist at St. Boniface Hospi-
tal in Manitoba. According to her,
80 percent of Canadians with
diabetes will die of coronary dis-
ease — an astounding number.
A lack of knowledge about the
sy mptoms associated w it h hear t
disease can increase the risk
of mortality. The most obvious
warning sign is pressure or tight-
ness in the chest during physical
exertion, but other warning
signs include feeling short of
breath and experiencing fatigue,
nausea, or dizziness, as well as
jaw or back pain. Symptoms tend
to be more subtle for women,
who may feel chest discomfort
rather than crushing pain.Start a conversation
As a cardiologist, Dr. Zieroth
is enthusiastic about being
involved with her patients who
are managing their diabetes. In
addition to knowing the risks of
heart disease, people with dia-
betes can take steps to prevent
it. Dr. Zieroth says patients with
diabetes should closely monitor
their blood sugar, blood pressure,
and cholesterol levels. Adopting
healthy lifestyle habits, such as
quitting smoking, exercising
regularly, and eating smaller
portions, is just as crucial. “But
above all, we want patients tospeak with their doctor because
the good news is that there are
new treatments that can prevent
premature death for people with
diabetes,” she says.
Clinical trials have shown
that these new treatments not
only prevent deaths related to
heart disease but also prevent
the onset of heart failure. A dis-
cussion with one’s medical team
is the best way for people living
with diabetes to make sure they
have all the information required
to keep living a healthy life.The Risky Link Between
Diabetes and Heart Disease
SOURCES: Environics Research Group,
World Health Organization, Diabetes Canada93
of Canadians
with diabetes
feel they are
knowledgeable about their
disease management, but
one in two have no idea
their diabetes significantly
increases the risk of hear t
attack, heart failure and
stroke.56
of Canadians
don’t know
or don’t
believe heart disease is the
most common cause of
death among adults with
type 2 diabetes.41
of Canadians
with type
2 diabetes
believe there are no
medications that control
blood sugar levels and
heart disease.Brenda Hanna (pictured)
is now able to spend more
time doing the things she
loves, like playing with her
rottweiler Freddie.
Photo: Tricia HannaIf you are living with
type 2 diabetes, talk
to your doctor about
ways to minimize your
risk of developing
heart disease. To
find out more, visit
myheartmatters.ca.