Diabetes and the Link to Heart Disease

Living with diabetes poses many challenges, not the least of which is the increased risk of having a heart attack.

Over time, high levels of blood sugar can damage the circulatory system and the nerves that control the heart muscle. This puts people with diabetes at a high risk for heart disease. In fact, the younger a person is at the onset of diabetes the more likely they are to experience some degree of cardiovascular disease.

Conditions common to diabetes such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can also lead to nerve damage throughout the body. This is especially dangerous for those with heart disease as they can experience a heart attack without feeling any chest pain. These silent heart attacks present only mild symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, fatigue, or muscle aches. The subtly of these symptoms can cause people to delay seeking medical attention, which can result in serious heart damage or death.

Home health nurses provide diabetic patients an additional line of defense against a silent heart attack. The frequency of their evaluations creates a patient familiarity that enables them to recognize silent heart attack symptoms. Many agencies also incorporate telemonitoring technology* to closely monitor high risk patients.

Tips on how your agency can get involved with National Diabetes Month this November:

• Include telemonitoring information in your November marketing. Highlight the benefits of it for patients who need continuous blood sugar levels, blood pressure, heart activity and respiratory monitoring.

• Post on your social media outlets about factors that can increase risk for heart disease:

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/why-diabetes-matters/cardiovascular-disease--diabetes

• Share your knowledge about diabetes prevention with civic groups. Provide information on your agency and the services you provide.

• Host a diabetes and heart friendly holiday cooking demonstration at a big box store in your community. Pass out branded print media and yummy samples is permissible.

Visit our webstore for all your November home health and hospice marketing media.

*Telemonitoring technology uses smart devices to gather and send information remotely to allow virtual 24-hour nursing.

https://knowdiabetesbyheart.org/

Stroke Awareness is he best protection against having one!

Stroke awareness is the best protection against having one. Strokes occur when blood flow to an area of the brain is disrupted. The lack of oxygenated blood causes brain cells to die. The longer blood flow is interrupted the more brain damage is likely to occur.

A person should seek immediate medical attention if signs of a stroke are present. Here is an easy way to remember the signs:

F – Facial Drooping

A – Arm Weakness

S – Speech Difficulty

T – Time is of the essence - call 911

The good news is that many strokes can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. Start with a diet that is low in sodium and heavy on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, low fat dairy, and lean meats. Follow that with moderate daily exercise, stress reducing activities, keep alcohol usage in check, and no smoking. Now you are on board the stroke prevention train.

Controlling other medical conditions can also help prevent a stroke. By far the highest risk factor for stroke is high blood pressure. Other conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and diabetes can also increase the risk. These are conditions that home health nurses routinely monitor. In fact, many home health agencies use telemonitoring systems to monitor their patients 24 hours a day. Telemonitoring enables clinicians to monitor specific functions like sleep patterns, oxygen levels, and blood pressure as often as needed.

High blood pressure contributes not only directly to having a stroke, but indirectly, as it also contributes to other conditions that can lead to a stroke such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  A blood pressure of 120 systolic and 80 diastolic is considered ideal. Below that is low and above that is elevated. A blood pressure of 140 systolic and 90 diastolic and above is too high. 

Strokes can be treated effectively if medications are administered quickly. The key to stroke recovery is getting to the hospital right away. Calling 911 for a stroke means treatment can begin on the way to the hospital. EMS will take you to the nearest specialized stroke center to ensure a quick neurological diagnosis and proper treatment.

Once released from the hospital stroke survivors usually need rehabilitation to recover. Choosing home health for that rehabilitation offers the comfort and support of being home with family while receiving quality physical, occupational, and speech therapies.

Promote your agency’s stroke rehabilitation services to neurologists, clinicians, and treatment centers in your service area by providing patient information brochures. Visit TAGWebStore.com for home health stroke rehabilitation information and other condition specific print media.