Diabetic patients are prone to develop atherosclerosis. When this happens in the blood vessels, diabetic vascular disease develops.
Diabetic patients are at higher risk of getting diabetic
vascular disease. Over time, continuous exposure to high blood glucose
level will damage the blood vessels. Atherosclerotic plaques will build up
in the arteries and thus cause the narrowing of these arteries. This
condition is called atherosclerosis and it is the major cause of heart attack
and stroke when the narrowing happens in the blood vessels supplying to the
heart and the brain respectively.
In atherosclerosis, fatty deposits gradually build up in the walls of large blood vessels. When there is not enough supply of blood to the heart, heart attack occurs which might lead to death of heart tissues. Diabetic patients are more prone to atherosclerosis.
The risk of developing atherosclerosis lies largely in the cholesterol level in the bloodstream. Diabetes mellitus can be associated with elevated cholesterol level that is abnormal. Besides high cholesterol level, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure and obesity also contribute to the factor of atherosclerosis developing.
Symptoms of atherosclerosis is usually not detectable in the early stages. When the blood vessels are partially blocked in the arteries supplying to the heart, chest pain occurs. If there is a complete blockage, there may be a sudden heart attack, which is often fatal.
Diabetic patients usually to have regular blood test to check for any raised blood cholesterol level, and high blood pressure. If there are symptoms of atherosclerosis, your doctor needs to arrange tests to assess the damage to your arteries and the organs they supply. ECG will be carried out to check the heart for any abnormalities if your doctor suspects the coronary arteries are affected.
Progression of atherosclerosis can be delayed or prevented by taking some preventive measures. They include following a healthy lifestyle by better management of your diabetes, eating a low-fat diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and keep and maintain your ideal weight.
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