The link between type 2 diabetes and heart health

If you’re a woman living with type 2 diabetes, you may want to pay extra attention to your heart’s health. There is a strong link between type 2 diabetes and heart disease risk, and new research shows that the risk for heart failure may be significantly higher for women than it is for men with diabetes.

Taking care of diabetes, and managing your blood glucose levels, essential to taking care of your heart’s health. One of the best things someone living with diabetes can do to prevent complications is to make healthy lifestyle changes. This can include eating heart-friendly and nutritious foods, getting to a healthy weight, and getting the recommended levels of physical activity.

There’s also a psychological component to diabetes care, related to how you manage stress. Long-term stress not only raises blood glucose but also blood pressure. Adopting positive stress coping mechanisms, like deep breathing or making sure to get plenty of rest, can go a long way in protecting your heart’s health.