Posted by Enas Al-Banna
Sunday, February 26, 2023 11:00 AM
Hypoglycemia: what to keep in check Diabetic In his car for a sudden drop in pulse?
Diabetes symptoms can sometimes turn into an emergency, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of an emergency and what to do in such situations.
According to webmd, hypoglycemia is a potential risk factor for sudden death from diabetes. One of the potentially life-threatening effects of hypoglycemia that diabetics can experience is a sudden low pulse.
What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood glucose falls below a healthy range for you. The condition is also called hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. It is common in people with diabetes, especially type 1 diabetes. Hypoglycemia is one of It is the most common side effect of insulin therapy and poses cardiovascular risks.
According to research, both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes have been independently associated with decreased heart rate (heart rate variability), meaning that diabetics may experience a sudden drop in pulse, which is a warning sign of cardiac arrest or stroke. The potentially life-threatening effects of hypoglycemia on the cardiovascular system have been overlooked or dismissed as insignificant for people with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin.
What do you do if a diabetic suffers from a sudden drop in pulse?
How can a diabetic with hypoglycemia manage his condition while alone or in a car for example? Diabetics say:
If symptoms of hypoglycemia appear suddenly, the person should eat a carbohydrate-rich snack or something sweet. This can include a glucose tablet, candy, sweet juice, or even a sugar bar.
It is recommended to eat balanced meals throughout the day and always keep a snack on hand to keep blood glucose levels stable.
Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet in case you have a history of low blood glucose levels.
Ask your doctor about a glucagon emergency kit. In case of unconsciousness due to low blood sugar, this kit contains a fast-acting medication that can be injected. It is recommended to keep one kit at home and one at work or school.
Doctors also advise regular blood glucose monitoring so that low levels can be corrected before symptoms worsen.
How does hypoglycemia affect the cardiovascular system?
Hypoglycemia may lead to an increase in heart rate. Independently, hemodynamic changes associated with hypoglycemia include peripheral systolic blood pressure, decreased peripheral arterial resistance (causing widening of the pulse pressure), decreased central blood pressure, and increased Myocardial contractility, stroke volume, and cardiac output. Thus, the heart’s workload temporarily but significantly increases. This transient cardiac pressure is unlikely to be of serious functional significance in healthy young men with a normal cardiovascular system. However, it may have serious consequences for many elderly people with diabetes, especially individuals with type 2 diabetes, many of whom suffer from coronary heart disease.