Atherosclerosis & cardiovascular complications

Cardiovascular Complications- as the name implies are caused by the changes in major organs related to circulation of blood in the body, These are major blood vessels - Arteries; and the pumping station of the body- the Heart.

As a result of changes in the constitution of blood caused by uncontrolled Diabetes or even the prediabetic state, like high levels of harmful Cholesterols, low levels of protective cholesterols, high levels of blood glucose leading to inflammation in the walls of the blood vessels and increased probabilty of formation of blood clots, some areas in the large and small blood vessels get thickened causing narrowing of the internal passage for blood flow these thickened areas are called Atherosclerotic plaques.

Further blockage of these already narrowed blood vessels may lead to complete disruption of blood supply to portions of heart or Brain supplied by these vessels, causing Heart Attack and stroke respectively.

The cause of the drastic complications start early in the life of diabetics, EVEN EARLIER THAN THE RISE IN BLOOD SUGAR. Hence these complications may occur early in the life of diabetics.

If such complications in diabetics inflict more damage than in non diabetic persons. Heart attacks are more severe and fatal in diabetics than in non diabetics. Stroke happen more often and cause more disability. Diabetics are more prone to repeat Attacks than non Diabetics.

Smoking perhaps is one of the most important factors in Diabetics- It causes great damage to the blood vessels by deranging cholesterol levels and increasing blood pressure.

Premenopausal women are more prone to Heart attacks than non Diabetic women.

Similar narrowing of arteries supplying blood to legs may lead to symptoms of intermitent claudication, Working muscles of legs Other than keeping blood glucose in control, maintaining adequate cholesterol levels and weight may decrease chances of these complications.

Diabetics are also prescribed Aspirin tablets to prevent formation of clots which may result in Heart attacks and stroke. But these should be taken only on prescription of a doctor, since Aspirin may be contraindicated in some people like those with a gastric ulcer, or asthma .