Harlingen — Diabetes – if left unmanaged — can lead to serious health complications such as kidney failure, vision loss, heart disease and even a heart attack. But, the good news is that diabetes can be controlled by taking steps in the right direction.
Dr. David Yardley, Cardiologist and Partner-In-Care to Harlingen Medical Center, will discuss heart disease as it relates to diabetes during a free “Doc Talk” lecture on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 6:00 p.m. in the hospital’s Medical Office Building Conference Room, located at 5505 S. Expressway 77 in Harlingen (on the first floor of the building closest to the Expressway, behind the elevators, in Suite 102).
“The Diabetes and Heart Disease lecture, from Dr. Yardley, is going to make the connection from diabetes to heart disease and take an in-depth look at each disease,” said Manny Chacon, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Harlingen Medical Center. “It is also going to offer attendees valuable information on how they can prevent the disease from developing. And, if they have diabetes already, it will offer them key points to battle the disease effectively.”
Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the body cannot produce enough, or any, insulin and therefore causes high levels of glucose (simple sugar) in the blood. According to the American Diabetes Association, the disease affects nearly 30 million American men, women and children. Another 86 million people are pre-diabetic and are at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 1 is when the body does not produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that the body requires to get glucose from the blood stream into the cells of the body. Glucose is eventually converted into energy. Those who suffer from Type 1 Diabetes can manage their condition and live long, healthy lives.
With Type 2 Diabetes, the body does not use insulin properly. This is also known as insulin resistance, which essentially means the pancreas cannot keep up with the body’s demand for insulin to maintain blood glucose levels at a normal level. Those who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes can also manage their condition and live long, healthy lives. But action is required to control the disease.
Dr. Yardley’s Doc Talk Lecture will cover a number of key points to help lower the risks of, and control, diabetes, such as:
Control blood sugar levels
Lose weight and keep it off
Lower bad cholesterol levels
Increase physical activity
Control blood pressure
Stop smoking, if you smoke
According to the American Diabetes Association, people who suffer from diabetes can control blood sugar levels by taking their medications, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising daily. Diabetes, being overweight and heart disease often go hand-in-hand. So losing weight will help fight and reduce the chance of the disease developing.
Recent estimates project that as many as one in three Americans will have diabetes by 2050 if steps are not taken to educate the population and prevent the disease. Hispanics and African Americans are more likely to develop the disease and therefore should be taking steps for prevention.
Wednesday’s Doc Talk Lecture at Harlingen Medical Center will give attendees the opportunity to ask specific questions about diabetes and its link to heart disease.
“We are recommending that those who wish to attend write down their questions on paper, before the lecture, and bring them ready to ask,” said Chacon.
To RSVP for the Doc Talk Lecture, please call Harlingen Medical Center’s Business Development and Marketing Department at (956) 365-1848. A light complimentary meal will be served.
