Bermudians have been reminded to monitor their heart health as the country continues to battle an obesity and diabetes crisis.

Fountain Health reignited the warning in light of American Heart Month, which focuses on cardiovascular care.

Annabel Fountain, the medical director of Fountain Health, reminded the public that type 2 diabetes could be “managed effectively and even reversed” by adjustments to diet and increasing daily exercise.

She added that as an island that had higher levels of obesity and diabetes than much of the world, residents should be aware of how to manage health problems in the short and long term.

Dr Fountain said: “We all know to go to the emergency room if we have bad chest pain with shortness of breath, but other symptoms of heart disease can seem unconnected, like cramps in your legs when you’re walking, swollen ankles or erectile dysfunction.

“Reporting any changes in your health or wellbeing to your doctor will help them to identify issues before they become more serious.”

Fountain Health said that although diabetes has been on the rise and is expected to affect more than 640 million people by 2040, Bermuda’s incidence rate is 14 per cent compared with 8.8 per cent globally.

The practice reminded residents that the Ministry of Health deemed levels of obesity and diabetes to be a public health crisis.

The Step to a Well Bermuda study conducted in 2014 also showed that three in four Bermudians were overweight or obese, while one in three struggled with heart disease, kidney disease or diabetes.

It also highlighted how 18 per cent of adults aged 60 or older struggled with diabetes.

Fountain Health said: “People with diabetes are two to four times more likely than others to develop cardiovascular disease with increased risk in older age.

“Heart disease remains the most common cause of death in people with diabetes.

“Chronically elevated blood sugar levels in diabetes causes inflammation and over time can cause significant damage to organs, such as the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes and nerves.

“The good news is that it doesn’t have to go that way.”

Dr Fountain said that an annual diabetes review should include assessments for potential complications, as well as checks on cholesterol and blood pressure.

She added: “Some medications originally developed for diabetes also help with reducing cardiovascular risk and can be used to improve outcomes of people with heart failure, high blood pressure and kidney disease.

“Ask your doctor if medications include these options, especially if you are already known to have heart disease.”