A strong link between diabetes and heart disease is now well established. Studies showed a two- to threefold increase in the incidence of heart disease in patients with diabetes compared with those without diabetes who were being followed in the Framingham Heart Study. In fact, cardiovascular disease leading to heart attack or stroke is by far the leading cause of death in both men and women with diabetes. Unfortunately, in patients with diabetes, improvement in survival has been less than half as much as in the general population.

Evidence shows that patients with diabetes have an increased level of low-grade inflammation of their arterial lining, a process that initiates the blood vessel changes leading to heart disease. Some of the new tests to assess this inflammation are being evaluated, including C-reactive protein and homocysteine.

The good news is that there are steps to reduce your risk for heart disease:

– control your weight;

– get regular physical activity;

– quit smoking;

– maintain tight control over glucose;

– lower your LDL cholesterol (the “bad” type);

– control your blood pressure;

– consider incorporating aspirin into your daily routine.

“High blood glucose in adults with diabetes increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, angina, and coronary artery disease. 1. People with type 2 diabetes also have high rates of high blood pressure, lipid problems, and obesity, which contribute to their high-risk of CVD.”

The best way to prevent or delay the development of cardiovascular disease is to prevent diabetes it self.