While diabetes affects all areas of the body, it is known to affect the cardiovascular system profoundly. Understanding the correlation of diabetes and heart health is a …show more content…
While most cardiovascular issues in diabetes primarily arise from increased insulin resistance and chronic hyperglycemic states, it also can be attributed to the unhealthy lifestyle many lead. High BMI levels and trends of poor diet knowledge further exacerbate these factors. As stated in an article by Gamiochipi, Cruz, Kumate, and Wacher (2016), diet and exercise are key in the metabolic control necessary for the prevention of complications and management of diabetes. Researchers found that when patients were provided with educational visits focused on nutrition knowledge and lifestyle changes there was significant improvement in glycemic control, insulin resistance, blood pressure, dyslipidema and inflammation. In Mary’s case, while she states she follows a diabetic diet and exercises regularly, her poor laboratory results and inquiry on weight gain express a need for similar