Diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar – it also greatly increases your risk of heart disease. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of illness and death in people with diabetes.
How Diabetes Affects the Heart
- High blood sugar damages blood vessels over time, accelerating plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).
- Diabetes is strongly linked with high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which compound the risk.
- Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Protecting Your Heart if You Have Diabetes
- Keep blood sugar under control with medications and diet
- Manage blood pressure and cholesterol aggressively
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
- See a cardiologist for regular screenings and preventive care
At Flow Heart & Vascular, we take a comprehensive approach to heart care in patients with diabetes, focusing on prevention, early detection, and advanced treatments when needed.
