Diabetes as a Cause of Heart Disease and Tampa CPR Classes

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.

We focus on providing training that is stress-free. Our AHA instructors not only go through the rigorous training that is mandated for their certifications by the American Heart Association, but also are further trained by CPR Tampa. The training that all of our instructors receive focuses on high quality customer service and how to ensure a relaxed classroom environment for all of our students. We also try to cater to individual needs. It is our goal to provide the most accurate training in an environment that makes everyone feel at ease. Our instructors are friendly and really do care about your success!