What is DHD?

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What is DHD?
What does DHD mean? DHD stands for ‘diabetic heart disease’ and it is all about the disease of the heart that could possibly develop in people with diabetes. People that are diagnosed with diabetes are considered to have a higher risk in developing heart disease. They may also be considered to have added reasons of heart disease, development of heart disease at a younger age, or may have extra heart disease that is severe or more complicated.

To understand more about the term DHD or diabetic heart disease, one must have some idea about diabetes. Diabetes is a type of disease when the body experiences abnormal levels of blood sugar. It is normal for the body to break food to turn into glucose. Glucose is used by the body for energy. However, a hormone known as insulin converts glucose to energy.

There are 2 known types of diabetes ‘“ Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body has the inability to produce enough insulin. On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes is characterized by the body not using the insulin properly. This is also a condition known as insulin resistance.
When a person is hit by diabetes, DHD could possibly be developed. There are several heart diseases involved in DHD. Below are some of the heart diseases involved DHD.

Coronary heart disease or CHD is a disease when there is a plaque buildup inside the walls of the coronary arteries. The plaque may be composed of cholesterol, fat, calcium and other substances present in the blood. When plaque is present in the arteries, it will be difficult to supply the heart with blood since the plaque blocks the incoming blood supply. Plaque buildup in the arteries is also known as atherosclerosis.

As the arteries narrow down due to plaque, the blood flow is reduced. Moreover, blood clot may also occur thus partly or may entirely block the artery. This can lead to angina or pain or discomfort in the chest. It can also lead to arrhythmias (irregular beating of the heart), heart attack and worse, death.

Overtime, CHD may lead to heart failure. Heart failure does not necessarily mean the heart stops working. This means the heart may fail to pump enough blood to supply what the body requires. A person with heart failure will easily tire and will not be able to perform physical activities. This heart condition is serious that it requires immediate medical attention.

Another DHD is the diabetic cardiomyopathy, a disease that destroys the structure and as well as the function of the heart. Like CHD, this condition may lead to either arrhythmias or heart failure. People without CHD but diabetic may also develop this heart condition.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes may both lead to DHD. Moreover, the higher blood sugar level a person has, the higher risk of acquiring DHD. If a person has either types of diabetes, the risk of having DHD can still be lessened or controlled. The person must consider changing lifestyle and follow what the doctor has to advise. Perpetually taking the prescribed medication of doctors must be strictly followed by a patient.

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