Diabetes

Your primary care provider is the manager of your diabetes. However, because there’s a strong link between diabetes and heart disease, Arjun Makam, DO, and his team at Makam Medical in Anaheim, California, assess heart health in people with diabetes and provide care to reduce risk of heart disease and cardiac events like a heart attack. To schedule a diabetes consultation, call the office or book an appointment online today.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that causes higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. When you have too much sugar in your blood, it damages your blood vessels and organs.

People with diabetes are at greater risk of developing many other chronic health conditions like heart disease. 

The team at Makam Medical provide cardiology consultations for people with diabetes. They assess the effect diabetes has on heart health and determine what steps patients can take to reduce cardiovascular risk and improve heart health. 

What is the connection between diabetes and heart disease?

Over time, the blood vessel damage from your diabetes increases your risk of developing heart disease. People with diabetes are more likely to develop heart disease at a younger age than those without diabetes.

Additionally, if you have diabetes you may have other health conditions that affect heart health like hypertension and high cholesterol.

Despite these risk factors, you can take steps to improve your diabetes and heart health with the help of Dr. Makam and his team at Makam Medical. 

What can I expect during a diabetes consultation?

You can expect a patient-centered examination when you come in for a diabetes consultation at Makam Medical. The team takes a holistic and preventive approach to care. 

They spend time listening and asking detailed questions about your health history, blood sugar numbers, usual diet, exercise routine, and daily stressors. They also perform a physical exam and run diagnostic tests to assess overall health, heart health, and risk of heart disease complications like a heart attack (cardiac event).

Testing might include blood work to check glucose and cholesterol numbers, electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess heart function, or a stress test to look for signs of heart disease. 

What can I do to improve my diabetes?

The team at Makam Medical works closely with your primary care provider to help improve your diabetes and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Treatment may include a combination of lifestyle modifications and medical therapy focused on improving the factors that put you at risk of having a cardiac event.

To schedule your diabetes consultation, call Makam Medical or book an appointment online today.