Answer:

Diabetes patients often experience two main groups of complications. The first involves large blood vessels, affecting coronary arteries, neck arteries (carotid arteries) leading to stroke, lower limb arteries, and the aorta. The second involves small blood vessels, leading to kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, retinal damage, and nerve damage.

Diabetes is linked to metabolic disorders including high blood sugar, blood lipid disorders, and insulin resistance. Uncontrolled, these factors can disrupt the function of the endothelium, smooth muscle cells, and platelets, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis, arterial thrombosis, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Persistently high blood sugar damages blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, promoting the formation of plaque. This causes artery hardening, restricting blood flow to the heart. Diabetics with high blood pressure have a higher risk of heart failure because these combined factors increase the burden on the heart, impairing its function. Prolonged high blood sugar negatively affects the nerves controlling the heart's activity, causing damage and impacting heart rate and overall function, eventually leading to heart failure.

A patient gets their blood sugar tested. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

A patient gets their blood sugar tested. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

You should have regular health checkups and adhere to your doctor's prescribed diabetes medication to control blood sugar. A healthy diet prioritizing lean protein and green vegetables, while limiting processed meats and fried foods, can help prevent complications. Managing risk factors such as blood sugar, blood pressure, blood lipids, and weight is crucial for preventing cardiovascular complications. Adequate sleep, stress management, limiting alcohol and tobacco use, and regular exercise contribute to overall health.

Dr. Lam Van Hoang

Head of Endocrinology - Diabetes

Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM