Diabetes
is the bread and butter of Family Medicine, at least in my practice
in North Charleston, South Carolina. Half of my patient population
has diabetes and related medical problems. One of the facts
about diabetes that many patients do not appreciate is that
diabetes is a heart disease. If diabetes is not controlled,
it is very likely that the patient will have a heart attack
or stroke. I am impressed with the number of folk who still
do not appreciate this relationship. Diabetes is so much a part
of cardiac disease that many physicians require patients to
have at least a minimal cardiac evaluation even if no cardiac
symptoms exist. Diabetes often blocks heart attack symptoms
so this is a good practice. New research shows that some patients
who have had a heart attack without known diabetes will in time
develop diabetes. Getting screened for diabetes after a heart
attack is probably a good idea. Talk with your physician about
this new finding. As we say in the Black community “Diabetes
is the Man.” I am Dr. Thaddeus John Bell--- Closing the
gap in health care.
Bell Update
Volume 2, Chapter 38
Copyright September 2007
