Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Dental Health
Heart Health
Aparna B., 35, Georgia [Female]
My father was diagnosed early with heart disease and died of a heart attack in his early fifties. My mother died of diabetes related kidney failure in her fifties – she also had heart disease. I was just diagnosed with diabetes a couple of years ago and I am in my mid thirties. When I was young, we did not have health insurance so I did not have preventative visits to the doctor while growing up. But I do remember eating a lot of fresh vegetables growing up. I still try to try to cook a lot of veggies and prepare meat in a healthy manner. I also try to exercise. It’s not always easy for me to go to the gym but I love to dance and started taking dance classes a couple of times a week. I think it also important to know how important dental health is to reducing your risk of heart disease. Mom had to have heart surgery due to poor dental health which further complicated her diabetes and ultimately led to her death. As a result, I make an effort to also go to the dentist at least three times a year. I know I don't want to go through what my parents went through especially my mom. I don't have it all down yet but I am working towards it.
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