Why do diabetics feel heart attacks differently?

You may not know this but diabetics may not feel the common heart attack symptoms the same way that non-diabetic individuals do. What they think is just fatigue and a simple chest pain may already be signs of an impending heart attack. But instead of going to their doctor, they delay their appointments, thinking the symptoms are mild. They only seek medical attention when the symptoms have taken a turn for the worse.

This is worrisome and very dangerous. Prolonging medical care not only lowers their survival odds but also increases complication and disability risks.

Why the Difference?

High blood sugar levels affect the blood vessels supplying the body. The disease damages the blood vessels and decreases their ability to relax or dilate. This is one of the reasons why diabetics have a higher risk of heart attacks. The heart isn’t receiving adequate blood supply which it needs to function fully. Plus, the damaged blood vessels also overtax the heart in pumping blood to the rest of the body.

Diabetes also damages the nerves supplying the body, including the heart. Because there is nerve damage, diabetics don’t often feel the same excruciating and crushing chest pain associated with heart attack.

All these factors make diabetics six times more likely to develop a heart attack and three times more likely to die from it.

What to Do?

It is essential that diabetics are made aware of the atypical heart attack symptoms caused by diabetes. Just because they don’t have the well-known heart attack symptom of crushing chest pain or pressure doesn’t mean it’s not a heart attack. The moment they feel extreme fatigue and difficulty breathing with or without chest pain, they should immediately seek medical attention.

Regular checkups with their primary care physicians, maintaining controlled blood sugar levels, maintaining a normal blood pressure, and leading a healthier lifestyle (proper diet and exercise) are encouraged.