Bevond Blood Sugar

Consultant cardiologist Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali of Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL) breaks down the biggest myths about diabetes

Living with diabetes is no easy feat. This chronic condition affects more than just daily routines; it impacts the overall quality of life. Diabetes is really a bad disease to have as it can lead to serious health problems. Beyond impairing the body’s ability to process blood sugar, diabetes can silently cause damage to vital organs and systems if not properly managed.

In speaking about the biggest myths about diabetes, Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL) consultant cardiologist Datuk Dr Rosli Mohd Ali says, “It’s not true that taking too much sugar will cause diabetes. But excessive intake of refined carbohydrates and sugars will increase the risk of obesity which is associated with diabetes. There are also multiple other factors that lead to diabetes, genetic and hereditary being one of them.”

Diabetes is more than just monitoring blood sugar levels, meal planning and adhering to strict medication schedules. Misinformation about diabetes may fuel unnecessary fear and confusion.

According to the National Institutes of Health 2023, in Malaysia alone, 15.6 per cent (or one in six) of adults have diabetes. Additionally, there’s a worrying prevalence of diabetes patients experiencing heart attack (Acute Coronary Syndrome). According to the Malaysian NCVDACS database from 2020-2021, there is a staggering 43.9 per cent of patients presenting with heart attack have diabetes.

“Diabetes is a condition characterised by persistently elevated blood sugar levels, affecting the entire body, including multiple organs and the nervous system,” Dr Rosli explains, adding that there are two main types of diabetes: