A person with diabetes is at a greatly increased risk of cardiovascular complications compared to someone without diabetes. "Medical-Surgical Nursing" reports that around 80 percent of all people with diabetes will die of cardiovascular disease. It is imperative for a diabetic to take good care of his heart by eating a heart-healthy diet and getting regular aerobic exercise, as well as controlling his blood sugar. Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding cigarette smoke can also lessen the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Heart Attack and Heart Disease
Heart disease and heart attacks are common complications of diabetes. Diabetics contract heart disease at an earlier age and tend to have more extensive disease than non-diabetics, according to "Medical-Surgical Nursing." This is partly due to the negative effect of high blood glucose levels on blood vessels. Diabetes also leads to abnormal blood clotting, which can hasten a heart attack. A person with diabetes is at increased risk of angina, which is chest pain, and atherosclerosis, which is a narrowing of the artery walls due to plaque formation.
High Blood Pressure
The American Academy of Family Physicians indicates that people with diabetes have twice the risk of high blood pressure as those without the disorder. The reasons for this correlation are not fully known, but the autonomic nervous system, obesity and insulin resistance are hypothesized to be involved. High blood pressure can cause severe organ damage and lead to a life-threatening stroke. It can also cause kidney disease, kidney failure and serious eye problems including retinopathy and glaucoma.
Congestive Heart Failure
Diabetics are at risk of diabetic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which diabetes negatively affects the heart muscle. This can lead to congestive heart failure. People with diabetes also tend to have elevated blood lipids, which is implicated in some cases of heart failure. Congestive heart failure can cause fatigue, difficulty breathing, chest pain and a potentially fatal arrhythmia.
References
- "Medical-Surgical Nursing"; Donna Ignatavicius, M.S., R.N. and Linda Workman, Ph.D., R.N.; 2002
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke
- American Diabetes Association: Living With Diabetes: ABC's of Heart Disease
- Mayo Clinic: Diabetes: Complications
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Controlling Hypertension in Patients With Diabetes
