“When you have high blood pressure your heart is working overtime, all the time, “says Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE on October’s Diabetes Late NIte podcast. “Measuring your blood pressure is one of the best non invasive tests that we have available to give us a window into how well the heart is actually functioning.”
The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for all people with high blood pressure to help the healthcare provider determine whether treatments are working. Home monitoring (self-measured blood pressure) is not a substitute for regular visits to your physician.
How to use a home blood pressure monitor
Be still. Don’t smoke, drink caffeinated beverages or exercise within 30 minutes before measuring your blood pressure. Empty your bladder and ensure at least 5 minutes of quiet rest before measurements.
Sit correctly. Sit with your back straight and supported (on a dining chair, rather than a sofa). Your feet should be flat on the floor and your legs should not be crossed. Your arm should be supported on a flat surface (such as a table) with the upper arm at heart level. Make sure the bottom of the cuff is placed directly above the bend of the elbow. Check your monitor’s instructions for an illustration or have your healthcare provider show you how.
Measure at the same time every day. It’s important to take the readings at the same time each day, such as morning and evening. It is best to take the readings daily however ideally beginning 2 weeks after a change in treatment and during the week before your next appointment.
Take multiple readings and record the results. Each time you measure, take two or three readings one minute apart and record the results using a printable (PDF) or online tracker. If your monitor has built-in memory to store your readings, take it with you to your appointments. Some monitors may also allow you to upload your readings to a secure website after you register your profile.
Don’t take the measurement over clothes.
Photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash
Why keep a blood pressure journal?
One blood pressure measurement only tells what your blood pressure is at that moment. A diary of multiple readings taken over time provides a better picture of your blood pressure that can help you partner with your physician to ensure that your treatments to lower high blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) are working.
If you have been prescribed medication to lower your blood pressure, don’t stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor, even if your blood pressure readings are in the normal range during home monitoring.
Beloved Drag Queen Mutha Chucka, who is known for splashy costumes, striking hair and makeup, and humorous, politically pointed performances, is using her flair to promote heart health.
Back in 2016, Mutha Chucka landed in the hospital with a heart problem. Doctors diagnosed cardiomyopathy and “basically told me I was on death’s door,” Mutha recalled.
Today, Mutha Chucka exercises and eats lots of vegetables and not much red meat. Mutha, 58, is mindful of his family history of cardiovascular diseases. His grandmother had a stroke; both of his parents have high blood pressure; and his father has had high cholesterol and a heart attack treated with a stent.
As he strives to live a healthy life, he urges others to, as well. Mutha makes a point to educate the community about LGBTQ health and heart disease risk through charities, drag shows and online events.
“I just encourage everyone to take the best care of themselves,” he said. “It’s part of the persona of Mutha. I’m always telling everyone what to do.”
We’re talking about ‘HEART HEALTH & DIABETES‘ with musical inspiration from the rock band “Heart” on this episode of Divabetic’s popular Diabetes Late Nite podcast.
Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes.
People with insulin resistance or diabetes in combination with one or more of these risk factors are at even greater risk of heart disease or stroke. However, by managing their risk factors, people with diabetes may avoid or delay the development of heart and blood vessel disease.
Guests include Author of ‘Nutrition & You’ Dr. Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND, Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.
Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Heart’s “The Essential Heart”album courtesy of SONY Music
Optimism, a sense of purpose and feeling in control are a recipe for better heart health among Black adults reports a new study according to the American Heart Association.
The study, published Wednesday in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, measured cardiovascular health based on the AHA’s Life’s Simple 7: smoking status, physical activity, diet, weight, and levels of blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure.
“We assumed that being both high on psychosocial resilience and living in a resilient neighborhood would be the most beneficial for cardiovascular health,” the study’s principal investigators, Tené T. Lewis, said. “Yet what we found was that psychosocial resilience demonstrated the most robust association regardless of the neighborhood resilience measure.”
“As a result of the heartbreaking consequences of COVID-19 and the inhumanity of George Floyd’s death, we are having a national conversation about the ways in which structural and interpersonal racism have shaped Black Americans’ lives and deaths,” Lewis said. “More studies like this are necessary to fully understand the factors that promote better health for Black Americans.”
The study was published alongside an editorial by Dr. Amber E. Johnson and Dr. Jared W. Magnani, assistant professors of medicine in cardiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #29? Our phrase can help you feel full longer, without adding any additional calories.
The human body comprises around 60% water.
It’s commonly recommended that you drink eight 8-ounce (237-mL) glasses of water per day (the 8×8 rule).
Do you know our brain is strongly influenced by your hydration status?
Studies show that even mild dehydration, such as the loss of 1–3% of body weight, can impair many aspects of brain function as reported by Healthline.
Do you know what makes up 73 percent of the human heart? The answer is water, which is why when it comes to blood pressure health, water is the drink of choice.
Additionally, water will not raise blood sugars, which is why it is so beneficial to drink when people with diabetes have high blood sugar, as it enables more glucose to be flushed out of the blood. When your blood sugars are running high, your body will try to flush excess sugar out of your blood through the urine. As a result, your body will need more fluids to rehydrate itself. Drinking water can help the body with flushing out some of the glucose in the blood.
Having high blood sugars can also increase the risk of dehydration, which is a risk for people with diabetes.
Even mild dehydration can affect you mentally and physically.
If you don’t like the taste of water, it can help to add a slice of fruit, such as orange, lemon or lime. You can prepare cut slices of these fruits and store them in the freezer ready for use.
Make sure that you get enough water each day for your overall diabetes health.
We’re talking about depictions of diabetes on the silver screen including Steel Magnolias, Soul Food and The Baby-Sitter Clubon Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from 2Cellos. How realistic are these portrayals? How do we feel after viewing them? Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Kent Gash, Jessica Clark and Muniq Gut Health Shakes Founder, Marc Washington.
Throughout this podcast we will be featured music from the album ‘Score’ by 2Celloscourtesy of SONY Music.
Recent Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND, who is a nutrition professor at Boston University and the host of the health and wellness podcast SpotOn!, says that the biggest nutrition fallacy she sees online is the advice to avoid white foods.
“The biggest myth is that white foods, such as pasta and white vegetables, are nutrition slackers compared to whole grain and more colorful, phytochemical-rich veggies,” explains Salge Blake as reported in US News & World Reports. “This is totally wrong.” Pasta is fortified with riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, iron and especially folic acid, a B vitamin that is critical for pregnant women – and many don’t consume enough folic acid in their diets. Similarly, a cup serving of potatoes (about one small baked potato) costs less than 20 cents, yet will provide over 650 milligrams of blood pressure-lowering potassium. Because most Americans don’t get enough of this nutrient, a potato is a cheap way to fight high blood pressure. In addition, Jones explains that white foods like Greek yogurt, natural aged cheeses and milk, potatoes and even many enriched grains can contribute significant amounts of nutrients: calcium in dairy, fiber and potassium in potatoes and B-vitamins in enriched grains. “Ironically, one of the most popular veggies these days just happens to be white – cauliflower!” Jones notes.
We’re talking about ‘HEART HEALTH & DIABETES’ with musical inspiration from the rock band “Heart” on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.
Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes.
People with insulin resistance or diabetes in combination with one or more of these risk factors are at even greater risk of heart disease or stroke. However, by managing their risk factors, people with diabetes may avoid or delay the development of heart and blood vessel disease.
The rock band “Heart” was started in Seattle in the 1960s.Heart’s mix of hard rock and folk yielded one of the longest lasting and most commercially successful bands of all time. The band is fronted by sisters, Ann and Nancy Wilson who wrote many of the band’s songs.
Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Author of ‘Nutrition & You’ Dr. Joan Salge Blake, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND Mama Rose Marie, Glucose SOS founder Pamela Heyward and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach.
Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from Heart’s “The Essential Heart” album courtesy of SONY Music.
Divabetic’s Clued Inn Escape Rooms is an innovative, fun approach, to reach people at risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease before they experience health-related complications.
Carol Seitz Photography
Easy Booking
Quick and easy Individual and Group online reservations start at CluedInn.org with the Diabetes Risk Test or the Heart IQ Quiz.
Carol Seitz Photography
Escape Rooms
Three interactive themed escape room challenges are filled with brainteasers to sharpen problem-solving skills with the power of communication and teamwork.
“I think it was really great that you organized an escape room with the goal of reaching more folks about diabetes.”
Carol Seitz Photography
Table Talks
Certified Diabetes Educators (Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Susan Weiner MS RDN CDE CDN FAADE and Rachel Stahl, MS, RD, CDN, CDE) host discussions for people at risk for and living with diabetes and others to gather and learn together about diabetes and heart health.
“Even if you have diabetes you can lead a fun and productive life”
Carol Seitz Photography
Clued Inn Tote Bags
Take-home resources include Know Diabetes By Heart information materials, Divabetic diabetes information and Metakura local health program calendars.
“I walked away with a lot of information I had not previously known about diabetes.”
Carol Seitz Photography
Prize Wheel
An amazing assortment of prize giveaways are courtesy of Sweet Defeat, Glucose SOS, Hint Water, plus ‘My Sweet Life’ books by Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE.
Carol Seitz Photography
Volunteers
Orientation features diabetes/heart health primer, patient testimonials and overview of program goals to empower and educate.
“We had a great time and the event was wonderful! Looking forward to future events!”
Divabetic’s Clued Inn Escape Rooms was presented on Diabetes Alert Day, March 26, 2019 sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim in New York City, NY.
Divabetic® is a national nonprofit diabetes outreach organization committed to changing attitudes in people at risk, affected by and living with diabetes. We strive to encourage prevention, early action and above all, education.
Divabetic® was inspired by the late R & B legend, Luther Vandross, and created and founded by his long-time assistant, Max Szadek. Divabetic®, a combination of the word ‘diabetic’ with the letter ‘V’ inserted for Vandross, evokes feelings of power and the positive attitude associated with the great DIVAS Luther loved like Patti LaBelle.
Divabetic’s newest outreach program, Clued Inn combines the fun and excitement of ‘Escape Room’ game challenges with personalized group discussions about diabetes and heart health lead by certified diabetes educators in New York City on Diabetes Alert Day, Tuesday, March 26, 2019.
According to a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30.3 million people in the U.S. have diabetes, but nearly a quarter of them (7.2 million) are undiagnosed.
The CDC also notes that people with type 2 diabetes face twice the risk of heart disease and stroke. Clued Inn is an innovative, fun approach, to reach people at risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease before they experience health-related complications. The problem-solving skills and collaborative team effort needed to escape the room are essential behaviors for successfully managing type 2 diabetes health to avoid stroke, and heart disease.
Clued Inn’s online room reservations process includes screening for type 2 diabetes and/or heart health quiz. The program is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
How’s your heart health? If you’re like millions of Americans—about 92 million in fact—you do have to watch your heart health due to cardiovascular disease or health effects after a stroke. That means you have to pay special attention to your heart health—to what you eat, to how you feel, to how much you’re moving. Even if don’t have some health conditions that affect your heart, you have to be conscious of how your health (mental, physical, emotional) is taking a toll on your most vital organ.
Let’s look at food for starters. If you’re like many Americans, your intake of sugar, salt, and processed food is far too high. And you might be siloing your food—eating too much of the same thing, over and over again. So how else can you keep your heart pumping, happy and healthy, even while you’re at work? This graphic helps you understand the issues.
Recently TODAY Show’s co-host Carson Dalyshared memories of his mother, who died of a heart attack in September 2017, to help raise awareness about the connection between Type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Nearly two-thirds of people with diabetes have high blood pressure, and, according to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die of heart disease or have a stroke than people who don’t have the condition.
The connection between diabetes and heart disease starts with high blood sugar levels according to the Everyday Health website. Over time, the high glucose in the bloodstream can damage the arteries, causing them to become stiff and hard. Fatty material that builds up on the inside of these blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This can eventually block blood flow to the heart or brain, leading to heart attack or stroke. Your risk of heart disease with diabetes is further elevated if you also have a family history of cardiovascular disease or stroke.
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 25: Carson Daly and his mother Pattie Daly Caruso arrive at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on August 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
“I never would have guessed that my mom was going to die of a heart attack,” writes Carson Daly. “She had some health issues — nothing in the heart. No symptoms. Never saw it coming. So I find myself this month being hyperaware about women and their health, as it pertains to the heart. Heart disease is the most common cause of death in American women. And I have been directly impacted by that.”
If you believe you are at a higher risk for heart disease, don’t despair. Learning more about the link between heart disease and diabetes can help you take steps to help protect your heart and manage your diabetes.
Start by working with your doctor to keep your blood glucose level within the target range. You can check on your efforts by having A1C tests at least twice a year; these reveal your average blood sugar level for the past three months. A normal A1C level should be below 5.7.
Clued Inn: Diabetes & Heart Health Escape Rooms
Join us for Clued Inn: Diabetes & Heart Health Escape Rooms! Complete either the 60 second Diabetes Risk Test or the Heart IQ Quiz and register for free for the first-ever Diabetes & Heart Health Escape Room Experience scheduled for National Diabetes Alert Day, Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 5- 10PM in New York City. Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Space Limited. BOOK NOW
Heart attack, panic attack, and hypoglycemic reaction (low blood glucose) have symptoms which are common to all three conditions. However, treatment for all three are very different.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack:
Shortness of breath
Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to you neck, jaw, shoulder, or upper back. (Note: women may have a heart attack without chest pain.)
Indigestion, heartburn or abdominal discomfort
Nausea or vomiting
Cold sweat
Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
Unusual fatigue
Symptoms of a Panic Attack:
Sensations of shortness of breath or being smothered
Over-breathing (hyperventilating)
Nausea or abdominal distress
Dry heaving and/or gagging
Sweating
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded or faint
Feeling of choking
Palpitations and/or accelerated heart rate
Chills or hot flushes
Trembling or shaking
Numbness or tingling sensations
Fear of losing control or going insane
Feeling that death is imminent
Symptoms of a Hypoglycemic Reaction (Low Blood Glucose):
Rapid heartbeat
Blurry vision
Sudden nervousness
Unexplained fatigue
Pale skin
Headache
Hunger
Shaking
Dizziness
Skin tingling
Sudden mood changes
Trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
Loss of consciousness, seizure, coma
What You Should Know About a Heart Attack
Heart disease is the most common cause of death for both women and men in the United States. However, of the nearly 500,000 heart attack deaths that occur each year, more than 239,000 are in women. Women’s symptoms may occur more often when women are resting. Mental stress may trigger heart attack symptoms in women. Sweating is typical for a heart attack, as is nausea, especially for women. Women of all ages should take heart health seriously. Women under the age of 65, and especially those with a family history of heart disease, need to pay close attention to heart disease risk factors. A heart attack is dangerous, and requires prompt medical attention.
You can’t deep-breathe your way out of a heart attack, but you can deep-breathe your way through a panic attack. If you feel your heart is racing, breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth several times in a row. If it helps, you’re probably just panicking. If it’s a heart attack, that deep-breathing is going to hurt.
What You Should Know About a Panic Attack
A panic attack is very sudden in onset and includes an intense fear and anxiety. Panic attacks will be over within 10 minutes (and often less), while heart attacks can last much longer. During a panic attack your body goes into fight or flight mode – your breathing rate increase, muscles tense, and heart rate quicken. A panic attack imposes no immediate danger; it is not going to cause a heart attack. Though it can feel like it, a panic attack won’t kill you.
What You Should Know About a Hypoglycemic Reaction (also known as an Insulin Reaction)
The American Diabetes Association defines hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, in terms of two levels. Level 1 is when the blood glucose level is lower than 70 mg/dL. Level 2, known as severe hypoglycemia, is when the blood glucose level is lower than 54 mg/dL and requires the assistance from another person to treat. Severe hypoglycemia is classed as a diabetes emergency. If you experience any of the symptoms of hypoglycemia, even if you suspect anxiety, you should check your blood glucose. If you have low blood glucose and it causes symptoms, do not ignore it. Low blood glucose can be potentially life-threatening.
How to Treat a Heart Attack:
Call 911 or your local emergency number. Whenever you’re in doubt about your symptoms, seek care without delay. Only medical tests can rule out the possibility of a heart attack.
Chew and swallow an aspirin, unless you are allergic to aspirin or have been told by your doctor never to take aspirin.
Take nitroglycerin, if prescribed.
Begin CPR if the person is unconscious.
Lifestyle Changes to Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease:
Quit or don’t smoke.
Exercise regularly.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a healthy diet that includes whole grains, a variety of fruits and vegetables, low fat or fat-free dairy products, and lean meats. Avoid saturated or trans fat, added sugars, and high amounts of salt.
How to Treat a Panic Attack:
Use deep breathing. While hyperventilating is a symptom of panic attacks that can increase fear, deep breathing can reduce symptoms of panic during an attack.
Close your eyes. Some panic attacks come from triggers that overwhelm you. To reduce the stimuli, close your eyes during your panic attack. This can block out any extra stimuli and make it easier to focus on your breathing.
Find a focus object. Some people find it helpful to find a single object to focus all of their attention on during a panic attack. Pick one object in clear sight and consciously note everything about it.
Picture your happy place. What’s the most relaxing place in the world that you can think of and picture yourself there; try to focus on the details as much as possible. This place should be quiet, calm, and relaxing.
Lifestyle Changes to Manage Panic Symptoms:
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs. All of these can trigger or worsen panic attacks.
Practice stress management and relaxation techniques. For example, yoga, deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation may be helpful.
Get physically active. Aerobic activity may have a calming effect on your mood.
How to Treat a Hypoglycemic Reaction:
Early symptoms can usually be treated by following the 15-15 rule. Eat or drink 15 grams of a fast-acting carbohydrate. Fast-acting carbohydrates are foods that are easily converted to sugar in the body, such as glucose tablets or gel, fruit juice, or regular soda (not diet soda).
Check your blood glucose again in 15 minutes. If it is still low (below 70 mg/dL) repeat the step above.
If your next meal is more than an hour away, you will need to eat one carbohydrate choice as a snack (along with protein) to keep your blood glucose from going low again.
If you have type 1 diabetes and your blood glucose drops too low, you may pass out. If you do, a drug called glucagon should be injected into your skin, like you do with insulin This can be done by a family member or friend who has been taught how to do it. Since glucagon may cause you to vomit, you should be placed on your side when the injection is given. If no one knows how to give the injection, you should be taken to a hospital. You need a prescription for a glucagon kit. You should awaken about 10 minutes after the glucagon is injected. If you do not, you should be taken to a hospital at once.
Lifestyle Changes to Manage Blood Glucose:
Pay attention to feelings of hunger and give your body what it needs to function properly.
Always carry a fast-acting carbohydrate with you in case you need to treat an insulin reaction.
If you can’t figure out why you have low blood glucose, call your healthcare provider, as your medicine may need to be adjusted.
Understanding the symptoms for heart attack, panic attack, and hypoglycemia is important so you can receive the right treatment. In addition, it’s also important to make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of heart attack, manage panic symptoms, and manage blood glucose.
Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE
Dr. Beverly S. Adler, aka “Dr. Bev”, is a clinical psychologist and Certified Diabetes Educator with a private practice in Baldwin, NY. She was honored in 2016 with the “Certified Diabetes Educator Entrepreneur of the Year Award.”
She is the author/editor of two diabetes self-help books which include insightful lessons of empowerment written by successful men and women with diabetes. She has published articles in print and online about diabetes management – always with the focus on emotional adjustment. Dr. Bev has been quoted in numerous magazines and contributed to a monthly diabetes advice column online. She is a frequent contributor to the Divabetic Diabetes Daily Wire, where she blogs about diabetes topics from the psychological perspective.
Dr. Bev has lived successfully with type 1 diabetes for 42 years. You can connect with her on her website www.AskDrBev.com and on Twitter @AskDrBev.
Join us for Clued Inn Escape Room, the first-ever, free Diabetes & Heart Health Escape Room Experience on National Diabetes Alert Day, Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 5- 10PM in New York City. Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim. Space Limited. BOOK NOW
