Type 2 diabetes and its related conditions
Type 2 diabetes and its related conditions
Type 2 diabetes can increase your risk for many serious health problems – it can cause other conditions or diseases, known as “complications”. In addition to type 2 diabetes, you might also have other unrelated conditions, called “comorbidities”, that are not actually a consequence or result of your diabetes.
The challenge is that while some of these conditions are more visible and easier for your doctor to track, others may be lurking under the surface.
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High cholesterol
High cholesterol can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke, but there is still a risk even if your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol is normal.
High blood pressure
Added stress from high blood pressure (hypertension) along with diabetes can cause heart, brain, kidney and eye damage.
Obesity
About 80–90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, increasing the risk for other health complications such as heart attack and stroke.
Eye damage
Many people with diabetes have some form of eye damage (diabetic retinopathy) that can lead to vision changes or blindness. You can help lower your risk or worsening of eye damage with blood sugar control, regular eye exams and early treatment.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood stops flowing to the brain due to a blockage or from a damaged blood vessel. You can help reduce your risk of stroke by paying careful attention to your risk factors, and maintaining target levels for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Heart attack
A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when blood flow to a section of the heart becomes blocked and oxygen can’t get to the muscle. You can help lower your risk of experiencing one by paying careful attention to your risk factors.
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
The most common form of heart disease in diabetes, CAD, is caused by a narrowing or blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the heart and can result in a heart attack or stroke if the blood supply is cut off.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
People with diabetes have an especially high risk for PAD – a narrowing of the arteries away from the heart that serve the legs, stomach, arms and head – which can increase your risk for CAD, heart attack and stroke.
Kidney disease
A common and chronic condition in people with diabetes (known as nephropathy) where high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys over time, causing the kidneys to not work properly or even fail.
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Other related conditions to keep in mind
Type 2 diabetes can also impact other aspects of your overall health and wellbeing.
ComplicationNerve damage
Anxiety and depression
- For some people, managing their blood sugar levels every day in order to live a healthy life can be stressful. This stress can lead to a serious fear of hypoglycemia.
About 1 in 7 people with diabetes have generalized anxiety disorder
Up to 3 in 10 people with diabetes are affected by depression
Find out more on the link between diabetes and mental health.
ComplicationNerve damage
People with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of amputation and foot ulcers due to nerve damage in the lower limbs. The most common symptoms affect the toes and feet, and include:
- Throbbing or tingling
- Burning
- Sharp pains or a feeling of being pricked with pins
- Numbness
These are side effects to nerve damage, caused by high blood sugar levels. People who suffer from nerve damage have less feeling in their feet, and often fail to recognize small cuts or blisters which have the potential to become infected.
Talk to your doctor about possible medication options
Feel confident you're getting the most out of your next doctor's appointment by preparing ahead of time. Use this guide as a cheat sheet to help organize your thoughts and questions.
Type 2 diabetes and your heart
Diabetes can have a major impact on your health, including increasing your risk of developing heart disease. The sooner you understand your risk, the sooner you can do something to reduce it.
See why your heart matters
