Diabetes is known to alter blood sugar control, but its effect extends far beyond that: it’s close to doubling the risk of heart disease. Studies found that diabetic patients, particularly Type 2, are two to four times more likely to be attacked by cardiovascular diseases than people without diabetes. To stress this life-critical connection and raise awareness, doctors emphasize the management of diabetes and cardiovascular health together.
The Connection Between Diabetes and Heart Health
Diabetes changes blood vessel functions by creating enhanced inflammation of arteries, high blood pressure, and plaque accumulations, which is termed atherosclerosis. This can, in turn, stress the heart over time and increase the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes.
Dr. Gaurav N. Pujara, Internal Medicine at Shalby Hospital, Ahmedabad, says, “For diabetic patients, it is necessary to control both blood sugar as well as heart risk factors simultaneously.” Diabetes often begins silently, and heart diseases may begin asymptotically without appearing symptoms; therefore, early intervention becomes essential.
How Blood Sugar and Insulin Resistance Affect the Heart
Diabetic patients cannot keep their blood sugar levels stabilized, especially when their bodies experience the phenomenon of insulin resistance common with type 2 diabetes. When the body experiences insulin resistance, that is, overproduction of the level of insulin-regulating blood sugar, it can cause inflammation and increase blood pressure, which damages blood vessels and heart tissue. It is at the linings of the blood vessels that excess glucose in people with diabetes damages blood vessels by causing clots, blockages, and weakening the heart’s structure over time.
Recognize the symptoms
Since heart complications are a common problem associated with a high risk, an awareness of initial symptoms in diabetics that may hint towards heart disease is imperative, as these sometimes stage as early warning signals:
● Chest pain or discomfort
● Shortness of breath
● Unexplained fatigue
● Irregular heartbeat
● Dullness or pain in the limbs

Prevention and Risk Reduction
Dr Pujara suggests the cornerstone of managing risk in people with diabetes.
1. Check Blood Sugar Levels: Monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels at various intervals will reduce vascular damage and keep the heart healthy. Doctors at Shalby recommend A1C tests at frequent intervals to gauge average blood sugar levels over time.
2. Emphasize a Healthy Diet for Your Heart: Eat more vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins and use more processing. A diet that is high in fiber and low in added sugars will keep your blood sugar and cholesterol within normal ranges. Having less saturated fats also works for your heart.
3. Regular Exercise will make your body more sensitive to insulin and thus keep blood sugar in check. Therefore, it is a two-fold benefit for diabetics, strengthening the heart and lowering blood pressure.
4. Control blood pressure and cholesterol: Medication or lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, may regulate the levels. Patients are often placed on statins, with hoped for intent to lower their cholesterol and subsequent risk to their heart disease.
5. Quit Smoking: Smoking raises blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which causes adverse heart conditions. People with diabetes should never smoke since it further stresses the cardiovascular system.
The intricate relationship between diabetes and heart disease is severe and complex. People with diabetes must know that heart health is closely linked to blood sugar control.