Deaths in England from CHD are up to five times higher in people with diabetes compared with people without the disease.
Cases of CHD are particularly high in the UK's South Asian community, where the number of people with diabetes is five times higher than the national average.
There's a lot that people with diabetes can do to protect themselves from CHD.
“A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk substantially,” says Katherine Greathead of Heart Research UK.
Diabetes happens when the level of sugar in the blood is too high because the body is unable to use it properly. High levels of glucose in the blood can lead to the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries around the heart.
Diabetes worsens the harmful effects of smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol on the heart.
Your GP will work out your risk of developing CHD and may prescribe medicines to reduce that risk.
However, medicine alone won't prevent CHD. The factors that put you at risk of CHD need to be controlled by a combination of medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle.
Get moving
Physical inactivity puts people with diabetes at risk of CHD. Adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week.
If you’re just starting off, build up the frequency of your activity gradually.
“The activity should leave you feeling warm and slightly out of breath but still able to hold a conversation,” says Greathead.
Moderate, rhythmic exercise such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming is the level of intensity that will help your heart and diabetes.
Regular exercise will benefit your general health and it may help to reduce the amount of tablets or insulin that you need to take.
Before taking up exercise, Greathead recommends that people with diabetes get advice from their diabetic nurse or doctor.
“People with diabetes will have different requirements,” she says. “Some may be on medication; others may be on a special diet.
“The way to do it is to include activity in your everyday life and make sure it’s something you enjoy doing.”
Fatty deposits
“An active lifestyle and a healthy diet will help to reduce the build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries,” says Greathead.
A healthy diet is one with less saturated fat, contained in meat, dairy products, ghee, coconut and palm oil. This gives a healthier cholesterol level.
This also means less pastries, crisps and biscuits and more healthy alternatives such as vegetables and fruit. Aim to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. They can be fresh, frozen or tinned.
Use olive oil or rapeseed oil for cooking rather than coconut oil or palm oil.
Eating oily fish, such as sardines, mackerel or salmon, twice a week may help to reduce fatty deposits in your arteries.
Smoking
Smoking is a major cause of CHD. If you also have diabetes, the damage to the arteries is increased.
“Smoking is a risk factor in its own right,” says Greathead. “If you have diabetes and smoke, you’re not simply adding another risk, you’re multiplying your overall risk of heart disease.”
Blood pressure
If you have diabetes your goal is to have a blood pressure reading of below 130/80mmHg.
This can be achieved through weight management, physical activity and cutting down on alcohol and salt. Most people need to take medicines too.
If you're overweight, losing weight will help lower your blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and help control your diabetes.
Use the NHS Choices healthy weight calculator to find out if you're a healthy weight. It will also give you personalised information and advice based on your results.
