When you think of diabetes, blood sugar levels are probably the first thing that comes to mind. But heart disease -- an umbrella term for several types of heart conditions -- should be on your radar, too. Research suggests diabetes raises your risk for heart disease and stroke significantly. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help lower your odds. Here’s how to care for your heart when you have diabetes. The high blood sugar levels in diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. Over time, this can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease. People with diabetes are also at risk for other heart conditions. These include: Heart arrhythmias: This is when your heart beats too fast or too slow. Problems with your heart’s electrical conduction system or other heart issues can trigger them. Cardiomyopathy: This enlarges and weakens your heart muscle, making it harder to pump blood to the rest of the body. Without treatment, it could lead to heart failure. Ischemic heart disease: Also called atherosclerosis, this type of heart disease cuts blood supply to your heart muscle. Many people with diabetes are also placed on medications to manage their condition. Some of these medications can have side effects that impact heart health. If you have diabetes, you should be on the alert for signs of heart disease. These include: shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and swelling in the legs. Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. It’s important to make sure your heart is in good shape when you have diabetes. These tips can help: Exercise often. Aim for 30 minutes of low impact, moderate-intensity exercise, like walking or swimming, 5 days a week. Try to add 2 days of strength training. Yoga is also a good option. Know your numbers. This includes your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, blood glucose levels, and body weight. The more that these are under control, the better it is for your heart health. If you’re prescribed medications to manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, make sure you take them the way you’re supposed to. Follow a heart-healthy diet. The two most well-studied eating patterns are the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. Both are rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats found in foods like fatty fish and olive oil. You also need to limit your salt intake. Aim for less than 1,500 milligrams daily, as it can worsen blood pressure. Don’t smoke. It not only raises your risk of heart disease, but it also causes more damage to your blood vessels. Most of the time, your primary care doctor or endocrinologist can keep an eye on your heart. But you should ask for a referral to a cardiologist if you have any concerns.