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Eight in 10 people with type 2 diabetes will have some heart and circulation problems

	Diabetes makes it more likely that you might suffer from heart- and circulation-related health problems. Turn to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to find out how to keep your blood glucose level as close to normal as possible.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to learn more about the types of drugs that can lower your risk of developing heart and circulation ailments.

Consumer Reports Health has brought together the best research about heart and circulation problems in diabetes and weighed the evidence about how to treat it. You can use our information to talk with your doctor and decide which treatments are best for you.

Key points about heart and circulation problems in diabetes

• Diabetes occurs when you have high levels of glucose in your blood. This can damage blood vessels, which leads to serious problems like heart attack, stroke and poor circulation in your arms and legs.
• Heart and circulation problems are called macrovascular problems because they involve damage to large blood vessels.
• Diabetes-related microvascular problems involve damage to small blood vessels, including blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys and nerves.
• People with diabetes often have other health problems, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and obesity, which can also adversely affect their heart health.
• Women who have diabetes are at as great a risk of developing heart and circulation problems as men with diabetes are.
• Because diabetes can lead to heart and circulation problems, it is important to get a thorough physical exam once a year. Your doctor should check your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Watching your diet, exercising regularly and quitting smoking all lessen the risk of developing heart and circulation problems with diabetes.

Having diabetes does not mean that you will definitely have heart and circulation problems. It simply means that you are more at risk of developing some of these ailments. But there are lots of treatments that work well to cut your risk so that you can lead a long and healthy life.

We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about heart and circulation problems in diabetes. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable when talking to your doctor about your condition.