Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a condition affecting the way one’s body utilizes blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is essential to your health since it is a vital energy source for the cells that make up the tissues and muscles. Diabetes is characterized by excess blood sugar levels. The complications might get aggravated and turn fatal if it is left untreated over a period of time.

Diabetes mellitus can be of two types - Type 1 and Type 2.

In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to metabolize sugar and starch from the foods that you consume while Type 2 diabetes affects the way the body processes the blood glucose.

Diabetes substantially increases the risks of numerous cardiovascular disorders (a condition that affects the heart’s blood vessels due to fatty deposits within the arteries) such as atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries), stroke, heart attack (wherein flow of blood to the heart muscle gets blocked all of a sudden), heart failure (inability of the heart to pump blood throughout the body) and angina (chest pain).

Why are diabetic people at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases?

The following factors are associated (could be the common reason as well) with both diabetes and cardiovascular diseases-

1. High blood pressure and hypertension.

2. High triglyceride level (a kind of fat present in the blood) and abnormal cholesterol level.

3. Obesity.

4. Lack of exercises and physical activities.

5. Uncontrolled blood sugar level.

6. Smoking. 

   If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a general physician.