How Does Diabetes Affect the Heart?
Persistently high blood glucose can damage blood vessels and contribute to atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up inside artery walls. This can restrict blood flow and increase cardiovascular risk.
Diabetes is associated with a higher risk of:
- Coronary artery disease: Plaque buildup can narrow the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, sometimes causing chest pain.
- Heart attack: If blood flow through a coronary artery becomes blocked, part of the heart muscle can be damaged.
- Stroke: Diabetes increases the risk of blood vessel disease that can lead to a stroke.
- Heart failure: People with diabetes have an increased risk of heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood effectively enough to meet the body’s needs.
Diabetes Often Comes with Other Heart Risk Factors
Cardiovascular risk can increase further when diabetes occurs together with:
- High blood pressure
- High LDL cholesterol or triglycerides
- Overweight or obesity
- Kidney disease
- Physical inactivity
- Smoking
- A family history of cardiovascular disease
Because several risk factors may occur together, diabetes care should look beyond blood sugar alone.
How Can You Protect Your Heart?
- Keep blood sugar within your individual target range and have HbA1c, a test reflecting average blood sugar over the previous two to three months, checked as recommended by your doctor.
- Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity.
- Choose heart-healthy foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and healthier sources of fat.
- Avoid smoking.
- Take prescribed medications consistently and discuss any concerns with your doctor.
- Attend regular checkups to assess cardiovascular and kidney health.
- Discuss your individual cardiovascular risk with your doctor, especially if you have additional risk factors.
At Bumrungrad Heart Institute, specialists provide comprehensive cardiovascular care, including assessment, diagnosis and treatment for heart and vascular conditions, with care tailored to each patient’s individual risk factors and health needs.
Provided by the Heart Institute at Bumrungrad International Hospital
