Pakistan has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world, and heart disease is the leading cause of death among people with diabetes. Understanding the link is the first step to protecting yourself.
How sugar affects your arteries
Persistently high blood sugar damages the inner lining of the arteries, making it easier for cholesterol to settle and form plaques. Diabetes also tends to come with high blood pressure, high triglycerides and low HDL — a combination that multiplies risk.
Silent heart disease
Because diabetes can affect nerves, some patients feel only breathlessness, tiredness or mild discomfort during a heart attack. This is why regular screening matters even when you feel well.
The yearly heart tests every diabetic should have
Discuss this list with your doctor — some people will need more frequent or additional tests.
- HbA1c every 3–6 months
- Lipid profile at least once a year
- Resting ECG once a year
- Kidney function and urine albumin test
- Echocardiogram or stress test if advised by your cardiologist
Protecting your heart day to day
Keep HbA1c in the range your doctor recommends, control blood pressure, walk daily and avoid smoking. Some newer diabetes medicines also protect the heart and kidneys — ask your doctor whether they suit you.
Our Comprehensive Cardiac package bundles the key tests with a cardiologist consultation, with sample collection at home in major cities.
Not an emergency service — call 1122.
Chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting or a suspected heart attack? Call 1122 or go to the nearest hospital now.
ایمرجنسی میں فوراً 1122 پر کال کریں
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About the author
Dr. Usman Tariq
Medical Specialist
MBBS, FCPS (Medicine) · Lyallpur Heart Centre, Faisalabad
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified doctor about your own health.