Cardiovascular or vascular disease is the most common complication associated with diabetes. It can result in heart attacks and strokes.
Cholesterol & atherosclerosis
Fatty lumps including cholesterol can build up in the arteries which means it’s harder for red blood cells carrying oxygen around the body to get through. This is known as atherosclerosis or ‘hardening’ or ‘furring’ of the arteries.
High blood glucose (sugar), high blood pressure and high cholesterol all contribute to this hardening of the arteries. Damage to the blood vessels reduces oxygen flow around your body, and this poor circulation can also affect many parts of your body, such as the brain, your eyes and your feet.
What can I do?
You can help prevent heart disease by controlling your blood pressure and your blood glucose and cholesterol levels; not smoking; exercising; eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and taking any medications that are prescribed.
To find out more about heart and vascular disease and diabetes, register for our Understanding Type 1 or My Type 2 Diabetes online courses and have a look at our resources below. The Local Services section of the website also has lots of information about what support is available in your community, such as exercise groups, cooking classes or stop smoking services.
Register to access your GP health results
Not sure when you last had your feet checked? If you have diabetes you can register to access your GP diabetes health results through our patient access dashboard.
For most people, eating a healthy, balanced diet and being physically active is enough to keep cholesterol levels healthy. But for people with diabetes, it is important that you have your levels checked every year.
This video discusses cholesterol and how careful control of it can reduce your risk on diabetes complications.
Diabetes UK video explains what high blood pressure is and how you can reduce your risk of developing it.
Diabetes UK video explains what cholesterol is and how it can increase your risk of developing heart disease.
A overview of the effects of heart disease on people with diabetes.
An overview of heart failure, what causes it and how it is treated.
Dementia can lead to problems with your memory and communication. This can make it difficult to care for your diabetes. Diabetes can also have an impact on your memory and understanding. This leaflet describes some of the issues that someone who has both conditions may face.
Blood Pressure (BP) reducing your risks of complications
This video explains the 3 treatment targets, why they are important.