Diabetes is a disease that affects the way your body handles blood glucose. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, signals glucose to enter the cells of the body. In diabetes, the body ignores this signal resulting in high levels of blood glucose (“blood sugar”). There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes also known as juvenile diabetes occurs when there is a decreased or absent insulin production in the pancreas.
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and develops when the body either does not make enough insulin or doesn’t efficiently use the insulin it does make.
- Untreated or uncontrolled diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, limb amputations, and cardiovascular disease.
- Heart disease and stroke are the #1 causes of death and disability among people with type 2 diabetes.
- High blood sugar levels over time (along with other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol) can lead to increased deposits of fatty materials on the inside of the blood vessel walls (atherosclerosis).
- These fatty deposits may affect blood flow increasing the chance of clogging and hardening of blood vessels, which can lead to heart attack and/or stroke.
- Smoking raises blood glucose levels, damages and constricts blood vessels. Smoking also aggravates other risk factors such as increasing cholesterol levels and raising blood pressure.
- A healthy lifestyle, especially diet and exercise, together with regular blood glucose monitoring and adherence to medication helps to control diabetes.
- If you are a diabetic or are at risk for diabetes, talk with your medical doctor and develop a plan to reach your critical target numbers.
The information in this handout is taken from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. For more information and resources please visit www.americanheart.org or www.acc.org.
