Is diabetes a risk factor for heart disease?
Heart disease (cardiovascular disease) is a general term that describes a number of ailments related to normal function of the heart muscle. Diabetes is a known risk factor for developing heart-related conditions.The FactsHeart diseases typically involve conditions that narrow or block blood vessels, according to the Mayo Clinic. In time, these conditions can lead to chest pain from insufficient blood supply to the heart (angina), heart attacks or stroke.DiabetesOver time, the uncontrolled blood sugar of diabetes can lead to the development of heart disease, notes the Mayo Clinic. The presence of diabetes effectively doubles the risk for heart-related disorders.Mortality RateRoughly 75 percent of all diabetics eventually die from diseases of the heart or blood vessels, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Common Risk FactorsThe Mayo Clinic notes that heart disease and diabetes share a number of common risk factors, including high blood pressure and obesity.Additional
