Heart
disease is the biggest risk factor behind the occurrence of a cardiac arrest or
heart attack. A victim would require immediate treatment for survival with the
most appropriate form of treatment being proper application of the life-saving
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation procedures that comprises chest compressions and
rescue breaths. Proper application of the procedures can revive the life of a
victim in the middle of a cardiac emergency which can either be a cardiac
arrest or heart attack.
Always select
an accredited training center for acquiring training such as the AHA certified
CPR Tampa. Experienced and certified instructors conduct the classes through a
series of audio and video lectures and hands-on practice. At the end of a CPR class Tampa, a student will be
eligible for a certification after successfully passing a skills test and
written exam.
The biggest
risk factors of heart disease are high cholesterol, high blood pressure,
smoking and diabetes. Today, we are going to discuss about ‘diabetes’ as a risk
factor.
Diabetes- Diabetes mellitus, is a condition
that causes blood sugar to rise. A fasting blood glucose (sugar) level of 126
milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher is dangerous. The blood sugar level
in the body rises when the digestive system breaks down food. The body’s cells
take up the sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream and use it for energy which the
cells do using a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas.
The sugar
level rises in the bloodstream when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or
does not effectively use the insulin it produces which results in starvation
for energy on the part of the body’s cells. Eventually, high blood glucose
levels may damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.
Diabetes can
affect many major organs in your body, which can lead to an array of serious
complications when left untreated which include:
1. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), or
heart disease, including peripheral artery disease (PAD) and stroke
2. Renal (kidney) disease
3. Unhealthy cholesterol levels that can
lead to atherosclerosis
4. Metabolic syndrome
5. Vision damage
6. Nerve damage and numbness in the
extremities that can lead to amputation
But the good
part is that it is treatable and often preventable. If you have diabetes, you
may be able to avoid or delay other health complications by:
1. Working with your health care team to
manage the disease, which may include the use of medications
2. Knowing your numbers, including your
blood sugar level, weight, blood cholesterol level and blood pressure
3. Adopting a healthy lifestyle
Types of Diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes- this is also referred to as
insulin-dependent diabetes. People must take insulin or other medications daily
which makes up for insufficient amounts of insulin, a hormone required to
translate blood glucose into energy for the body. This type is usually
diagnosed in children and young adults, but this chronic, lifelong disease can
strike at any age. Those with a family history are at a higher risk.
The body’s
immune system attacks certain cells (called beta cells) in the pancreas during
the development of this type. The pancreas produces little or no insulin once
these cells are destroyed which results in glucose to stay in the blood. All
the organ systems in the body suffer long-term damage with too much glucose in
the blood.
Type 2 Diabetes- It is the most common type and has
been diagnosed primarily in adults. In the face of higher rates of obesity and
lack of physical activity, there has been a rise in the development of this
type among young adults. This type occurs when the body develops “insulin
resistance” and can’t efficiently use the insulin it makes and loss of ability
on the part of pancreas to produce insulin.
Prediabetes- It is a condition when the blood
sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet crossing the threshold of a
diabetes diagnosis. By adopting a few healthy measures, you can significantly
lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Prevention and Treatment:
Adopt a few
healthy measures if you have a family history or other risk factors for it or
if you have been diagnosed with prediabetes. But, if you have already been
diagnosed, the same measures can slow your progression. As per studies, lifestyle
changes, such as losing weight, eating healthy and increasing physical
activity, can dramatically reduce the progression of Type 2 and may control
Type 1 diabetes. It is also advisable to consult a healthcare provider in this
regard as lifestyle changes must be accompanied by medications to control blood
glucose levels, high blood pressure and cholesterol which may also prevent
other life-threatening emergencies (like a heart attack or stroke).
Monitor your
critical health numbers which include:
1. Blood sugar level
2. Weight
3. Blood cholesterol level
4. Blood pressure
Blood Sugar Level (the recommended range):
1. Prediabetes- HbA1c (glycosylated
hemoglobin) less than 6%.
2. Diabetes- HbA1c (glycosylated
hemoglobin) less than 7%.
Blood Pressure- Less than 130/80 mm Hg.
Body Weight- A body mass index (BMI) of
18.6-24.9. Waistline smaller
than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men.
Blood Cholesterol- Get your cholesterol checked and
talk to your doctor about your numbers and how they impact your overall risk.
The American
Heart Association has a variety of tools available to help you track these
critical health numbers including:
1. Glucose Tracker
2. Blood Pressure Tracker
Hope this
information proves to be beneficial for you.
To sign up
for a program at CPR Tampa, contact on 727-240-9404. CPR Tampa is an American
Heart Association Training Site. We train healthcare and non-healthcare
individuals throughout the Tampa area.
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