Lipitor and Diabetes: How to Control Heart Disease

If you have diabetes, Lipitor may help you cut the risk of heart attack and stroke. Millions of Americans suffer from diabetes and one of the serious complications that can result is cardiovascular problems. Your doctor may recommend that you take Lipitor whether you are currently showing signs of heart trouble or not because the medication seems to reduce the risk in both those with current problems and those without.

Nearly two-thirds of diabetics die from strokes or heart attacks and millions of people have warning signs for heart disease like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Because of this, it is important for diabetics and their medical teams to take a holistic approach to treating diabetes. Working on an overall healthier lifestyle and treating related conditions can both improve your diabetes and reduce your risk of death from heart disease or other complications.

In addition to taking Lipitor, you can also make lifestyle choices that will lower your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. The changes will also help you keep your diabetes under control as well. Many of the suggested changes to your life have probably been included in the literature that your doctor gave you when you were diagnosed with diabetes.

First, eat healthier to improve your overall health. Choose items fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats that fit into your diabetic meal plan. You should choose low fat items when you can (unless you are eating an item with healthy fats like nuts or olive oil). Eat fish like tuna, salmon, and sardines several times a week or try supplementing with a fish oil supplement to increase your intake of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Second, lose weight if your doctor has advised you to do so. Choose healthy ways of shedding those extra pounds like aiming for a pound or two weight loss each week. You can often do this by reducing your calorie intake and being more active throughout the day.

Third, get more exercise. Check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program, but after you're approved, get to it and stay with it. Aim for at least thirty minutes of exercise a day and do an hour if you can. You'll find that you'll feel better and your diabetes will be better controlled with more activity.

Finally, take prescribed medications like Lipitor to help you lower cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure, or help control your diabetes. Medications designed to help you reduce your risk of heart disease can be a helpful tool, but you need to follow your doctor's orders on how and when to take them.

For many with diabetes, Lipitor can help you lower the risk of heart disease. With so many diabetics suffering from heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes, you may want to consider taking a drug like Lipitor to help lower the chances that you'll have one of these occur.