Diabetes is a condition caused by high blood sugar levels that affects more than 23 million children and adults in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association. Because every organ is affected by high blood sugar levels, symptoms of diabetes may occur in almost any part of the body. One serious complication of diabetes is diabetic heart disease. The earliest symptom of diabetic heart disease is often angina, or chest pain.
Chest Pain and Discomfort
Angina, which is called angina pectoris by doctors, is the medical term used to describe the chest pain or uncomfortable sensations caused by coronary heart disease. In addition to pain, the uncomfortable sensations may include a feeling of pressure, squeezing or fullness, often directly in the center of the chest. The pain or discomfort may also occur in the shoulder, back, neck, jaw or arm, explains the American Heart Association.
Additional Symptoms
Angina may also cause other symptoms in addition to pain and discomfort. Patients with diabetic heart disease may feel sick to their stomach or nauseous. Feelings of fatigue and unexplained tiredness may also occur. Episodes of shortness of breath and light-headedness are also experienced by patients with angina, as well as profuse sweating, reports the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Causes
Angina often results when the heart does not receive enough blood due to narrow or blocked blood vessels. The high levels of blood sugar caused by diabetes damages the linings of the blood vessels, which increases the buildup of fatty plaque deposits. This accumulation of plaque is a condition known as atherosclerosis, the Medical University of South Carolina explains. Angina is often triggered by physical exercise, when the heart must beat faster because the body needs more blood and oxygen. Episodes of strong emotion or stress also sometimes trigger angina, according to the American Heart Association.
