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About Diabetes » Managing Complications » Heart Disease and Stroke

Diabetes and Heart Disease


According to the American Heart Association, diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, heart or blood vessel disease accounts for about three-quarters of all deaths for people with diabetes.1

Why? High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, causing cardiovascular complications such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries.2 This creates a major risk of heart disease for people with uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

In addition to risk factors you can't control -- such as heredity, age and gender -- you can be at greater risk of heart problems from:1
  • high levels of blood fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides
  • high blood pressure
  • smoking
  • lack of physical activity
  • being overweight
  • stress
  • too much alcohol


Heart Disease Symptoms

Any one of the following symptoms could be a sign of heart disease, stroke or other heart problems, or it could be a sign of another condition. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor, who can take steps to determine the cause.
  • dizzy spells4
  • chest pain or discomfort3
  • jaw, back, arm, neck or stomach pain3
  • slow healing of cuts and sores5
  • numbness or weakness on one side of the body4
  • leg pain, which may go away with rest5
  • shortness of breath3
  • sweating or light-headedness3


Taking Care of Your Heart

The American Diabetes Association recommends seeing your primary doctor two to four times each year to monitor your diabetes and any other problems you may have.6

In addition, there are ways you can help protect your heart:2
  • keeping your blood sugar levels within the range recommended by your healthcare team
  • keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range
  • controlling cholesterol and triglycerides through a healthy meal plan
  • stopping smoking
  • getting physical activity every day -- talk to your doctor about what types of exercise might be right for your physical condition
  • losing weight if you are above the range recommended by your healthcare team
  • drinking alcohol only in moderation
  • asking your doctor if you're a good candidate for daily aspirin therapy


If lifestyle changes aren't enough, your doctor may recommend medication or surgery. The most common form of treatment is aspirin therapy, which helps reduce your risk of blood clots. Other options include:2
  • beta-blockers to decrease heart rate and blood pressure
  • ACE inhibitors to enlarge blood vessels
  • statins that reduce cholesterol levels


Even small improvements in blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of complications such as heart disease and stroke.

Controlling Blood Fats and Cholesterol

Keeping your blood fats and cholesterol under control can reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems by 20% to 50%.7

There are three key types of blood fats:
  • LDL cholesterol -- the bad cholesterol that clogs arteries and restricts blood flow to the heart
  • HDL cholesterol -- the good cholesterol that carries LDL cholesterol back to the liver so it can be removed from the body
  • Triglycerides -- a major source of stored energy


American Diabetes Association cholesterol recommendations for adults with diabetes:8

LDL cholesterol below 100 mg/dl
HDL cholesterol above 40 mg/dl (for men)
above 50 mg/dl (for women)
Triglycerides below 150 mg/dl


You can reduce your total cholesterol by eating healthy foods, losing weight and exercising regularly. Here are some tips to get started.8
  • Develop a meal plan that includes small portions of lean meat, fish, and poultry; low-fat dairy products; whole-grain breads, cereals, and pastas; and fruits and vegetables.
  • Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most days.
  • Don't smoke.
  • Drink in moderation or not at all.
  • Take medicine if prescribed by your doctor.


1 American Heart Association. "Risk Factors and Coronary Heart Disease." Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4726. Accessed March 6, 2008.
2 American Diabetes Association. "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes -- 2007." Diabetes Care, Vol 30, Supp 1, Jan 2007.
3 American Diabetes Association. "Future Visits." Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/whos-who-on-your-health-care-team/future-visits.jsp. Accessed March 6, 2008.
4 American Diabetes Association. "All About Stroke." Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/well-being/about-stroke.jsp. Accessed March 11, 2008.
5 American Diabetes Association. "All About Peripheral Arterial Disease." Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/well-being/peripheral-arterial-disease.jsp. Accessed March 11, 2008.
6 American Diabetes Association. "Future Visits." Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/whos-who-on-your-health-care-team/future-visits.jsp. Accessed March 6, 2008.
7 American Diabetes Association. "Complications of Diabetes in the United States." Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/complications.jsp. Accessed March 6, 2008.
8 American Diabetes Association. "Treating High Cholesterol in People With Diabetes." Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/well-being/treating-cholesterol.jsp. Accessed March 6, 2008.


Last modified: October 10, 2008